Key Takeaways from Our Special Dialogue Ahead of the NATO Ankara Summit

On 4 July 2026, Foreign Policy Talks successfully convened its Special Dialogue: Countdown to the NATO Ankara Summit, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners from across Europe to examine the key strategic issues expected to shape the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.

Moderated by Dr. Şuay Açıkalın, the discussion featured Dr. Valeria Giannotta, Patrice Moyeuvre, and Nils Lange, who offered perspectives from Türkiye, Italy, France, Germany, and the broader transatlantic community. The conversation explored NATO’s evolving strategic priorities, defense industrial cooperation, burden sharing, and the alliance’s response to today’s increasingly complex security environment.

The discussion opened with an assessment of Italy’s expectations for the summit. Dr. Valeria Giannotta highlighted the growing strategic partnership between Italy and Türkiye, particularly in defense industrial cooperation. She argued that the bilateral relationship has entered what she described as a “golden age,” with initiatives such as the Leonardo and Baykar partnership demonstrating how allied defense industries can deepen cooperation. According to her, the strengthening of NATO’s southern flank, alongside continued support for Ukraine, will remain among Rome’s highest priorities.

Patrice examined what he referred to as “NATO 3.0,” describing the alliance’s transformation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While emphasizing that the concept is analytical rather than official NATO terminology, he argued that the alliance is entering a new phase centered on deterrence, military readiness, and adaptation to a rapidly changing security environment. He stressed that NATO remains fundamentally a political and military alliance rather than an industrial organization, noting that defense capabilities ultimately depend on the commitments and investments of individual member states.

Nils Lange focused on NATO’s industrial and capability challenges, arguing that Europe no longer faces primarily a defense spending problem but rather a capability generation challenge. Drawing on observations from Ukraine, he emphasized that modern warfare increasingly rewards industrial production capacity, supply chains, and sustained defense manufacturing. He suggested that the Ankara Summit should prioritize practical cooperation on industrial scaling, licensed production, and defense manufacturing across the alliance.

Throughout the discussion, speakers returned repeatedly to the future of transatlantic relations and the implications of shifting United States strategic priorities. While recognizing growing uncertainty regarding Washington’s long term posture, panelists generally agreed that NATO’s cohesion would depend on maintaining credible political commitments among all thirty two allies. Several speakers also highlighted Türkiye’s increasingly important role as both a strategic military actor and a bridge between Europe and neighboring regions.

Ukraine remained central to the conversation. Panelists broadly agreed that continued support for Kyiv would remain a defining issue for the alliance, while also acknowledging that lasting stability would ultimately require diplomatic efforts alongside military assistance. Türkiye’s ability to maintain dialogue with multiple parties was identified as one of its unique strategic advantages.

The discussion also explored the evolution of European defense cooperation. Speakers debated strategic autonomy, burden sharing, and defense industrial integration, while recognizing that stronger collaboration among allies, rather than institutional competition, would be essential to strengthening NATO’s collective deterrence.

During the audience question and answer session, participants discussed NATO’s relationship with Russia, European defense initiatives such as Security Alliance for Europe (SAFE), the alliance’s engagement with Indo-Pacific partners, and the growing importance of resilient supply chains and critical infrastructure security. The conversation also examined the expanding defense cooperation between Türkiye and Indonesia, particularly in maritime security and defense industrial collaboration, highlighting opportunities for deeper bilateral engagement beyond traditional security partnerships.

Concluding the dialogue, Dr. Şuay Açıkalın emphasized that although NATO members approach today’s challenges from different national perspectives, the discussion demonstrated a shared recognition of the alliance’s evolving security environment and the importance of closer cooperation ahead of the Ankara Summit. He also noted that the summit would likely serve as an important milestone in shaping NATO’s future direction, particularly regarding defense capabilities, industrial cooperation, and responses to emerging geopolitical challenges.

Foreign Policy Talks extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Şuay Açıkalın, Dr. Valeria Giannotta, Patrice, Nils Lange, and all participants for contributing to an insightful and timely discussion. As the international community turns its attention to Ankara, the dialogue provided valuable perspectives on the strategic debates likely to define NATO’s next chapter.

---