The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is one of the most important institutions in the world. The alliance has played a major role in post-Cold War Europe, helping to secure peace and stability in the region for more than 20 years. But it’s not without its problems. In recent years, numerous political leaders have raised questions about whether or not certain countries are committed to staying in NATO. Turkey, a member state since 1952, has repeatedly been named as one of the countries that could be on their way out. So, what would happen if Turkey left NATO?
What Would Happen If Turkey Left NATO?
The first thing that would happen if Turkey left NATO is that Turkey would no longer be protected by the alliance. NATO is an alliance of 29 countries from around the world that come to each other’s defense in the event of a conflict. If Turkey left NATO, it would no longer be included in this mutual defense agreement and would have to rely on itself.
Why Is Turkey Staying In Nato?
1. Turkey’s economy is closely tied to the West
Turkey’s economy is closely tied to that of the European Union (EU) and the United States. The EU makes up about half of Turkey’s trade and Turkey is one of the largest importers of goods from Europe. The U.S., on the other hand, is the largest export market for Turkish goods, making up about 40 percent of its exports and imports. These two countries are so important to Turkey that without them, it would be a much poorer country.
2. NATO has been very helpful in settling disputes between Greece and Turkey over Cyprus
In 1974, Greece invaded and occupied Northern Cyprus, a territory within its borders that was granted independence in 1960 by the Republic of Cyprus following a referendum by its citizens. This invasion was met with international condemnation, as well as a call for action from NATO member states like Turkey and Greece themselves. As it stands now, Northern Cyprus remains under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
3. NATO has been helpful in keeping Russia in check
Russia, a member state since 1996, is one of the largest countries in Europe and a close ally of Turkey. However, Russia has not always been so friendly to Turkey. In the late 1980s, Russia invaded Afghanistan and annexed it as its own territory, eventually becoming its primary supplier of oil and gas. Many believe that this aggressive action is what led to the breakup of the Soviet Union itself and NATO’s inclusion as a way for countries to come together against aggression from other states like Russia.
4. Turkish membership would help prevent other conflicts from occurring in NATO members’ territories like Iraq or Bosnia-Herzegovina
In 1991, when Serbia started attacking Croatia for wanting independence from Yugoslavia, NATO came to the rescue by sending troops into both Serbia and Croatia to keep them at bay until peace could be reached through negotiations between bothusp of a potential return to Turkish control.
5. Turkey has been a stable member of NATO for more than 50 years
Turkey is one of the few NATO members to have been involved in two major wars since the end of World War II and it has managed to stay out of another conflict despite being surrounded by countries that are at war with one another. The country has shown this stability by remaining a member of NATO for more than 50 years and it is likely that it will continue to remain in the alliance for many more years to come.
6. Turkey wants to be an important player on the international stage and staying in NATO helps achieve this goal.
Turkey, which was once a very isolated country, has recently become an important player on the world stage due to its growing economy and development as a major world power. Being in NATO gives Turkey access to military technology, training, and intelligence as well as other benefits that would otherwise be unavailable if it were not part ofusp of Turkish control, but Greek and Turkish forces are constantly fighting over the territory. This conflict is one of the few that has not been resolved by a direct agreement between the two, and it is this ongoing dispute that keeps NATO involved in the issue.
7. NATO helps keep Turkey stable and secure.
Turkey’s military presence in the region has been a crucial factor in keeping its government stable since its founding in 1923. In addition, Turkey participates in a number of other international peacekeeping missions such as Kosovo, Sudan, Bosnia, Liberia, and Iraq. These peacekeeping missions are very beneficial to Turkey’s economy because they help to keep its businesses running smoothly through importing and exporting goods from other countries.
8. Turkey needs NATO for protection from threats from the east.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many states have emerged as threats to global security by attempting to reassert themselves as international powers or by trying to expand their territories into areasusp of a peace deal between the two countries, which will likely take years to finalize.
9. NATO has played a major role in the War on Terror
NATO was created to serve as a deterrent against Soviet aggression in Europe, and it has done so effectively since its inception. NATO was also pivotal in the fight against terrorism after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The alliance has been able to mobilize an international coalition of troops from all over the world that have been fighting terrorists since then, including those from Turkey itself.
Why Is Turkey Threatening To Leave NATO?
1. Turkey is no longer a reliable ally
Turkey’s cooperation with the United States on Afghanistan has been a thorn in the side of NATO, but it was always assumed that Turkey would have to be brought back into the fold. The Turkish government has become increasingly authoritarian and Islamist in its foreign policy, however, and has been antagonizing many of its Western allies, including Britain and Germany. In addition, they have threatened to acquire nuclear weapons. They are also questioning their NATO membership.
2. NATO is becoming more like an alliance of rich countries
In recent years the United States has been spending more money than ever on its military forces, which could be seen as a way of showing that it is still a great power despite its economic problems at home. This is now beginning to cause concern among other member governments who are not only worried about their own economies but also about the long-term effects on international security if America keeps getting richer than all its potential enemies put together (which it is).
3. Turkey is an important member of the EU
Turkey has been a member of the European Union since 1963 and its membership is one of the main reasons why Germany has been so keen to keep Turkey a member of NATO. Having Turkey as a NATO member would help Germany influence Turkish foreign policy and vice versa.
4. Russia is getting closer to Turkey
Russia has been in a row with Turkey over Syria, but they have worked on improving their relations recently and have even signed a trade agreement. Russia also wants to improve its relations with Iran, and this could be seen as something that would make it easier for both countries to work together against the West (which they might).
5. War in Syria is becoming more difficult for all parties involved
The Syrian civil war has become very complicated in recent months, with many different groups involved on both sides of the conflict, which complicates things for everyone (including those who are trying to end it). This also makes it more difficult forements Turkey’s fears that it might be dragged into a war that it wants no part of. Turkey has been accused of arming the Syrian rebels, which could make it difficult to get them to back down and leave Syria.
6. Turkey is becoming more nationalist
According to many people in the West, including some of those who used to be friendly with the Turkish government, relations between the two countries have been on a downward spiral for a long time now because of Turkish nationalism and its increasing authoritarianism. The Syrian civil war has only made things worse by causing an increase in anti-Western sentiment.
Conclusion
Whatever happens, it’s clear that the relationship between Turkey and NATO is strained. The alliance has benefitted Turkey greatly in the past, but it’s unclear whether or not they will remain a member in the future. Whatever the consequences of a Turkish exit, one thing is certain: it’s a complicated situation. It’s important to remember that the alliance has served as a major stabilizing force in the region for decades. If Turkey were to leave, it would undoubtedly create a major power vacuum in the Middle East.
