Turkey has found itself on a collision course with NATO’s most powerful member, the United States, regarding the war in Ukraine. Along with Hungary, the countries have not imposed any sanctions on Russia, and Turkish President Erdogan continues to meet with Russia’s Putin.
Even NATO member Slovakia, which is governed by Putin-friendly Robert Fico, is very much a NATO skeptic when it comes to support for Ukraine.
These are the defense alliance’s “three Trojan horses”, according to Stefanie Babst, former head of NATO’s planning staff.
– This is a political problem, especially when we look at how we can promote political cohesion in NATO in the coming years, she says in SVT’s Agenda.
The war in Gaza increases the dispute
When it comes to the war in Gaza, Turkey and the US are once again on different sides. According to Stefanie Babst, it adds yet another strain to the relationship between the powerful NATO countries.
– The operations carried out by the Israelis against Hamas are controversial and will remain controversial, not only between Turkey and the United States. Both Norway, Germany and France are all very uncomfortable with Israel’s warfare.
The work of keeping NATO united in the future is predicted to be “exhausting”.
– I can only hope that NATO’s new Secretary General puts political unity and solidarity first and does his best to develop a strategy against Russia.
However, Stefanie Babst does not believe that Sweden’s security is at risk of deteriorating as a result of NATO membership.
– I think it is really good news that Sweden will soon join the alliance, and it will also put NATO in a much better geographical position, she says.