NATO video spotlights Türkiye’s strategic role ahead of Ankara summit

NATO on Monday released a promotional video ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, highlighting Türkiye’s strategic location, defence industry, and the Turkish capital’s historical and cultural heritage. Shared on the alliance’s social media accounts, the video says: “Welcome to Ankara. With 32 NATO leaders set to gather in Türkiye’s capital this week, get to know the host of the 2026 NATO Summit.”

Strategic and historical highlights

The video underscores Türkiye’s strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, highlighting its control of the Turkish Straits linking the Black Sea and the Mediterranean as a key asset for global security, trade, and connectivity. It also showcases Ankara’s historical legacy, noting that the city has been home to numerous ancient Anatolian civilisations and today hosts prominent museums, leading universities, and Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The video notes that Atatürk chose Ankara as the capital because of its central and strategic location.

Defence industry hub

Highlighting Ankara’s famous simit, the video adds that the capital is “much more than iconic street food and remarkable history,” describing it as “home to Türkiye’s largest defence industry companies and serves as a major hub for military engineering and advanced technology.” The alliance also notes that Türkiye has been a NATO member since 1952, has played an active role within the alliance, and fields NATO’s second‑largest military. The video features footage of Ankara Castle, Anıtkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, the Presidential Complex, the Bosphorus, and the country’s defence industry.