Global media hails Türkiye’s strategic rise at Ankara NATO summit

The 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara drew widespread international coverage Thursday, with global media emphasizing Türkiye’s rising strategic value amid the wars in Ukraine and Iran. The New York Times noted that Türkiye’s defense industry and its army—NATO’s second largest—have made it “critical” to the alliance’s future, while Politico declared President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan the “clear winner” of the summit, praising his negotiating skills and domestic defense leadership.

US and European media highlight Trump’s remarks

Politico and other outlets reported that President Donald Trump explicitly stated he attended the summit because Erdoğan was hosting, adding that relations between the two leaders were “probably better than ever.” German media, including Die Welt and Süddeutsche Zeitung, described Türkiye as an “indispensable regional power” and asked whether it has become a “new power factor.” Tagesschau noted that Erdoğan gained prestige before the summit even began, with Trump’s attendance alone underscoring Türkiye’s diplomatic weight.

Defense and F‑35 focus

Defence24 said Europe cannot build a credible security architecture without Türkiye, while Greek media highlighted Trump’s signals on lifting CAATSA sanctions and supporting F‑35 sales to Türkiye. Kathimerini and SKAI TV described Erdoğan as the summit’s biggest winner, noting that he revived the F‑35 issue and strengthened Türkiye’s international standing. Italian outlets, including La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, reported Trump’s praise for Erdoğan and his criticism of European allies, with La Stampa quoting Trump calling Erdoğan “an important friend.”

Balkan and Austrian coverage

Swiss and Austrian media underscored Türkiye’s control over strategic routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and its unique mediation capacity between Russia and Ukraine. Balkan outlets, including Klix and Index, highlighted Erdoğan’s call for lifting defense industry restrictions and Türkiye’s Steel Dome air defense systems. The summit marked the first time Türkiye hosted the meeting in 22 years, providing a strategic showcase for its defense capabilities and reinforcing its role as a key NATO power in a changing global order.