NATO in an evolving geopolitical landscape
Foreword
The end of 2024 has brought significant changes to the security landscape for the United States, Turkey, and their partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have escalated sharply, with Iran and Israel exchanging attacks, sustained warfare along multiple flashpoints the Middle East, and the introduction of North Korean troops into fighting near Kursk. Under the Siloviki rule of Soviet-remnant spy chiefs, Moscow shows no signs of backing off the expansionist strategy of restoring Russian control in post-Soviet space. Pyongyang and Tehran are now direct threats to European security. Meanwhile, wars and counter-terrorism campaigns in Africa and the Levant pose continuing challenges, and the risks of a major war in the Indo-Pacific remain high. All in all, while the world tumbles into escalating conflicts, hard power geopolitics and political-military issues have become more important than ever.
As the start of the second Trump Administration approaches and anti-Western forces tighten their coordination around the globe, the need for military readiness and closer coordination among NATO members grows to defend our homes, nations, and values. This issue of the Defense Journal provides assessments and analysis of how the Alliance is responding and adapting to this era of persistent conflict. We hope the articles here will broaden understanding of these pressing strategic matters!
Rich Outzen and Can Kasapoglu, Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY Co-managing editors
Articles
Honorary advisory board
The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY‘s honorary advisory board provides vision and direction for the journal. We are honored to have Atlantic Council board directors Gen. Wesley K. Clark, former commander of US European Command; Amb. Paula J. Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs; Gen. James L. Jones, former national security advisor to the President of the United States; Franklin D. Kramer, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, former US Ambassador to NATO; and Dov S. Zakheim, former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Defense.
Gen. Wesley K. Clark
Chairman and CEO of Wesley K. Clark & Associates & Board Director, Atlantic Council; former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO
Amb. Paula J. Dobriansky, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow at Harvard University JFK Belfer Center for Science & International Affairs; Board Director, Atlantic Council; former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs (2001-2009)
Gen. James L. Jones
President, Jones Group International and Executive Chairman Emeritus, Atlantic Council; former National Security Advisor to the President of the United States
Franklin D. Kramer
Distinguished Fellow & Board Director, Atlantic Council; former US Assistant Secretary of Defense
Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute
CEO, Cambridge Global Advisors & Board Director, Atlantic Council; former US Permanent Representative to NATO
Dov S. Zakheim
Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Senior Fellow, CNA Corporation; Board Director, Atlantic Council; former US Under Secretary of Defense
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The Atlantic Council in Turkey aims to promote and strengthen transatlantic engagement with the region by providing a high-level forum and pursuing programming to address the most important issues on energy, economics, security, and defense.
Image: Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, Indo-Pacific Partners and the European Union. Credit: NATO.