Why Turkey is Bad for NATO

Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952 However, in recent years, Turkey’s actions have raised doubts about its commitment to the alliance. Here are some reasons why Turkey is increasingly becoming a problem for NATO

Erdogan’s Authoritarianism

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken Turkey in an increasingly authoritarian direction. He has cracked down on dissent, jailed journalists and opposition leaders, and consolidated power. This authoritarian drift undermines shared democratic values, which are meant to be a cornerstone of NATO.

Close Ties with Russia

Turkey has developed close ties with Russia, a key adversary of NATO. In 2017, Turkey signed a deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 missile defense system. This led to Turkey’s suspension from the F-35 fighter jet program by the US and other NATO members. Turkey’s growing defense cooperation with Russia undermines NATO military integration.

Opposition to NATO Expansion

Turkey is blocking NATO membership for Finland and Sweden. Ankara accuses the Nordic states of harboring Kurdish militant groups it considers terrorist organizations. However, most NATO members see Finnish and Swedish membership as strengthening alliance security against Russia. Turkey’s opposition contradicts NATO’s open door policy for European democracies.

Competing Interests with NATO Allies

Turkey has come into conflict with fellow NATO members Greece and France over energy claims in the Mediterranean In 2020, Turkish and Greek naval forces almost clashed over offshore drilling rights. Ankara’s aggressive actions in the Mediterranean against allies weaken NATO cohesion.

Limited Contributions to Collective Defense

Despite having NATO’s second largest military, Turkey contributes little to NATO missions and operations. For instance, in 2021, Turkey provided just 60 personnel for NATO’s 7000 strong rapid response force. Ankara prioritizes its own regional interests over alliance commitments.

Leveraging Migration against the EU

To extract aid and concessions from the EU, Turkey has frequently threatened to open the floodgates of migration from Syria and other places to Europe. This includes refugees who would cross through Turkey to Greece and Bulgaria. Weaponizing migrants undermines security cooperation with key NATO allies.

Support for Jihadist Groups in Syria

Turkish-backed rebels in Syria are alleged to have committed atrocities and have links with jihadist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Allowing extremists to operate in areas under Turkey’s control damages NATO’s counterterrorism credibility

Undemocratic Practices within Turkey

President Erdogan has jailed opposition politicians and journalists. The 2018 presidential election has been criticized as unfair by international observers. Domestic repression and flawed elections contradict NATO’s identity as an alliance of free democracies.

Overall, Turkey seems to be acting as an obstructive member of NATO under Erdogan’s leadership. Ankara is prioritizing its regional ambitions over alliance cohesion and collective defense commitments. Turkey’s growing ties with Russia are particularly worrying for NATO strategy. The US and other allies should push Turkey to recommit itself to NATO principles and obligations. If current trends continue, Turkey’s membership may become detrimental for the alliance in the long run.

Frequency of Entities:
Turkey: 23
NATO: 14
Erdogan: 5
Russia: 4
Greece: 2
EU: 1
Finland: 1
Sweden: 1
France: 1
US: 1
Ankara: 5