iNews
·Jul 2026
Trump’s favourite European strongman is looking to gain from Nato’s fears
The UK and Turkey signed a major defence and security pact during the Nato summit as Ankara’s strategic importance rises amid global instability and concerns over US reliability. Turkey’s expanding military capacity, large defence industry and pivotal geographic position make it increasingly central to Nato, while its closer alignment with the West reflects shifts driven by the war in Ukraine. The agreement also signals a challenge to EU defence structures that exclude non‑EU powers like the UK and Turkey. Despite Turkey’s strategic value, concerns persist over its democratic backsliding, previous obstruction within Nato and contentious decisions such as purchasing Russian S‑400 systems. Western governments are now prioritising strategic necessity over political criticism, reinforcing Turkey’s growing influence within the alliance.