NATO Allies Meet in Ankara

Western governments have largely avoided public criticism of Turkey's legal actions against the main opposition party ahead of a July 7-8 NATO summit in Ankara. Diplomats involved in summit planning said the leaders of NATO's 32 member states are not expected to address the jailing of the party's presidential candidate or the broader crackdown that has detained hundreds of elected opposition officials over the past two years.

Five years ago, ten Western ambassadors jointly called for the release of a jailed philanthropist, prompting an order that they leave the country. The ambassadors later issued conciliatory statements and relations were restored. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western governments have prioritized security ties with Turkey, a major arms exporter with NATO's second-largest military, over public statements on rights issues.

A former U.S. ambassador to Ankara said continued Western comment on democratic institutions remains important because the course is not irrevocably set. The former ambassador, now director of the Baker Institute for Public Policy, added that avoiding discussion of democratic values during the current U.S. administration has not advanced bilateral relations.

Dozens of journalists from independent outlets have been denied accreditation to cover the summit, while authorities have detained more than 200 people citing security concerns. A NATO official referred to an earlier statement that it is very important for reporters to attend in person.

Some Western diplomats said they prefer to raise concerns privately, arguing that public criticism does little to slow any democratic backsliding. Ankara wants the summit to highlight alliance unity and expand defense-industry partnerships, with NATO expecting tens of billions of dollars in deals to be announced.