{"id":4127,"date":"2026-06-18T09:06:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T09:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genesisarmenia.am\/turkey-nato-part-2\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T11:41:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:41:25","slug":"turkey-nato-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genesisarmenia.am\/en\/turkey-nato-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The NATO \u2018Unruly\u2019 Ally: Why Is Turkey a Constant Headache for the Alliance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first part of the research series can be read at the following link: \u201cDual game: How Turkey benefits from the Iran crisis\u201d<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Although Turkey remains one of the key allies of the West and NATO, its relations with the alliance are marked by a number of deep-seated contradictions and strategic disagreements that periodically become sources of tension.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us highlight several of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the main issues is the NATO\u2013Turkey\u2013Russia relationship dynamic.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is that Turkey, while being a NATO member, cooperates with Russia in various fields, including energy, trade, shipbuilding, and tourism. In the military sphere, the most notable example is the purchase of S-400 air defense systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase weapons from a non-NATO country, and NATO\u2019s statutes prohibit such deals, as they may endanger the Alliance\u2019s integrated defense system.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 program. The United States and the Alliance decided that Turkey could not simultaneously possess S-400 systems and participate in the F-35 program. As a result, Turkey did not receive the fighter jets it had previously ordered. Secondly, the US imposed sanctions on Turkey\u2019s defense industry and several officials. Thirdly, questions arose over whether Turkey is fully loyal to NATO\u2019s strategic line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tensions between NATO and Turkey also emerged over Ukraine due to several key issues, as Turkey adopted a \u201cdual-track\u201d approach. It is true that Turkey supported Ukraine, actions which aligned with NATO\u2019s position, and also supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones. However, it did not join Western sanctions against Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tensions also arose in NATO\u2013Turkey relations over Sweden and Finland when these countries were invited to join NATO, but Turkey blocked the process, demanding strong measures against Kurdish organizations in Sweden and Finland and the extradition of certain individuals to Ankara. This was perceived as an attempt to impose a domestic agenda on the alliance, although Turkey presented it as addressing \u201csecurity concerns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, Turkey delayed NATO enlargement, and the process moved forward only after certain Turkish demands were met\u2014particularly a tougher stance on the PKK, restrictions on related networks, and discussions over the extradition of specific individuals at Turkey\u2019s request.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under a trilateral memorandum, NATO, Sweden, and Finland acknowledged that Turkey has legitimate security concerns that must be taken into account within the alliance. In other words, NATO gained new members, while Turkey resolved specific political and strategic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

From time to time, points of contention also arise between two NATO member states\u2014Turkey and Greece\u2014especially regarding Cyprus, although this rivalry has historical roots. Relations can become so tense that they create friction within the alliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These tensions mainly stem from the following issues:<\/span><\/p>\n