diplomacy

Turkey’s hosting of the NATO summit is not just about logistics. AP reports that Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close ties with Donald Trump helped secure the U.S. president’s attendance in Ankara, even as Trump has been sharply critical of many other European leaders.

That makes the summit a notable example of personal diplomacy shaping major international events. Turkey gains added visibility by hosting the meeting, and the summit places Ankara at the center of conversations about alliance unity, defense spending, and the future direction of NATO.

For Turkish American readers, the story is a reminder that Turkey can still play a significant role in world affairs when its leadership has direct access to powerful partners. It also shows how relationships between leaders can affect the public profile of Turkey in Washington and beyond.