03.08.2026 13:09
Israeli diplomat David Ben-Basat, in an article published today in an Israeli-based newspaper, wrote about the NATO Leaders' Summit in Ankara. Ben-Basat stated that Turkey is now a strategic player in NATO that cannot be ignored, admitting that Turkey is a key state influencing the region with its decisions. Ben-Basat said, 'The defense industry is growing rapidly. Proven military capabilities have made Turkey the most effective member of NATO.'
Radios 100FM CEO and Chairman of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, Israeli writer and diplomat David Ben-Basat, wrote a glowing article about Turkey. The Israeli diplomat said, "Turkey's defense industry is growing rapidly, arms exports are increasing, and it is becoming an increasingly important partner in the alliance's joint defense projects. Its proven military capabilities, irreplaceable geographic location, and growing importance in the energy sector have made Turkey one of NATO's most influential members."
Israeli diplomat Ben-Basat wrote his views and impressions on the NATO Leaders' Summit held on July 7-8, hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Israeli journalist, writer, and diplomat David Ben-Basat In his article published today in the Israeli-based newspaper The Jerusalem Post, David Ben-Basat noted that the NATO Summit was much more than a routine diplomatic event and that it was a strategic declaration.
"A KEY STATE WITH ITS DECISIONS AFFECTING THE REGION" At the beginning of his article, the Israeli diplomat stated that Turkey had long been seen as a "complex and sometimes problematic member" of NATO, and that following the Leaders' Summit hosted by Turkey, "it no longer stands on the edge of the alliance, but has become a key state with its decisions affecting the region stretching from Eastern Europe to the Middle East."
"A PARTNER HARD TO REPLACE" Saying that Turkey maintains complex relations with its allies, David Ben-Basat stated in his article, "It purchased Russian weapons systems and frequently creates tension with Washington. At the same time, it possesses some of NATO's most important strategic assets. With the U.S. signaling that it wants Europe to take on a larger share of the security burden, Turkey is positioning itself as a partner hard to replace."
Noting that Turkey leads the naval task force responsible for mine clearance activities in the Black Sea, Ben-Basat also acknowledged that Turkey plays a central role in the defense of the alliance's southern flank and hosts NATO's second-largest land army.
"TURKEY SHOWED THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF THE ALLIANCE'S SOUTHERN FLANK" In his article, Ben-Basat used the expressions, "At the same time, it emphasizes that threats originating from its southern border, including terrorism, regional instability, and the consequences of wars in the Middle East, require the same attention as the challenges facing Eastern Europe. This message, once pushed to the margins of NATO discussions, came to the forefront at the Ankara summit and demonstrated the increasing importance of the alliance's southern flank."
"BECAME A CENTER IN ENERGY" The Israeli writer, stating that Turkey's strength lies not only in its military power but also in its geographic location, noted that continuous disruptions in maritime routes and energy supplies in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz once again showed how urgently Europe needs alternative energy routes, and stated that Turkey has become a center for natural gas and oil pipelines and transit infrastructure connecting Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe.
"CAPABLE OF INFLUENCING EUROPE'S ENERGY SECURITY" The Israeli diplomat, stating that Ankara's position relies not only on its military power but also on its ability to influence Europe's energy security, emphasized that with ongoing instability in the Middle East, this strategic advantage is becoming increasingly important.
Stating that the future of the alliance, as well as developments in the Middle East, were discussed at the Ankara summit, Ben-Basat reported that important decisions included strengthening security cooperation among member states, expanding defense production, increasing investments in military infrastructure, and ensuring NATO continues to adapt to future threats.
"NATO'S MOST INFLUENTIAL MEMBER" Noting in his article that some analysts describe this process as a transition towards "NATO 3.0," an alliance relying more on European responsibility and advanced industrial cooperation, the Israeli diplomat said, "Turkey has a clear advantage in this process. Its defense industry is growing rapidly, arms exports are increasing, and it is becoming an increasingly important partner in the alliance's joint defense projects. Its proven military capabilities, irreplaceable geographic location, and growing importance in the energy sector have made Turkey one of NATO's most influential members."
"A STRATEGIC PLAYER THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED" Stating that the question facing decision-makers in Europe and Washington is no longer whether Ankara will continue to gain influence, but how cooperation with Turkey can be maintained without undermining the alliance's unity and values, Ben-Basat said, "Above all, the Ankara summit marked a shift in perception. Turkey has transformed from a difficult partner whose periodic crises needed to be managed into a strategic player that cannot be ignored."