NATO

NATO

From July 7 to 8, 2026, heads of state and government  gathered at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, where allies sought to capitalize on the success of 2025’s landmark defense spending pledge and begin converting cash into capabilities. Check out our commentary, analysis, and events covering the convening and our latest analysis on NATO, courtesy of our experts.

Ankara Summit Content Series

These articles are part of a series featuring Atlantic Council experts’ analysis and recommendations on the key challenges facing allies at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, and beyond.

How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

This year’s NATO Summit takes place at a critical time for the Alliance. With no marquee deliverable like last year, NATO leadership will point to progress from European allies on defense spending, defense industrial production, and aid to Ukraine.

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European allies can boost NATO unity at the Ankara summit by accelerating eastern flank deterrence

Ahead of the upcoming summit, European allies should commit to accelerating their deployment of full-strength combat brigades to the Baltic states by 2027.

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NATO allies need a plan for addressing threats below the threshold of war

NATO should take on a more active role in coordinating the response to attacks below the threshold of war. Specifically, the Alliance should use the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara to establish response options for its member states.

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The Ankara summit is an opportunity for NATO to ramp up engagement with its southern neighborhood

NATO’s engagement with its southern neighborhood has been inconsistent, despite growing security challenges. The Ankara summit offers and opportunity to strengthen dialogue with regional partners and reinforce NATO’s southern strategy.

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Innovation ranges: How NATO can test and deploy cutting-edge capabilities faster

The Ankara summit offers allies an opportunity to absorb the lessons from innovation ranges and revitalize the defense innovation pipeline.

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Civilian infrastructure is now a strategic target. NATO must adapt to protect it.

To help build resilience, NATO allies should integrate Nordic, Baltic, and Ukrainian “total defense” practices into NATO planning and exercises.

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Europe should take the long bet on the US and the transatlantic security relationship

At the upcoming Ankara summit, European allies should underscore their increased defense spending and their tangible contributions to shared security.

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How NATO can strengthen the transatlantic defense industrial base in Ankara and beyond

The NATO Summit in Ankara is an opportunity to advance a stronger, more integrated transatlantic defense industrial base.

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Europe’s no-panic playbook for a radically different US foreign policy

NATO and the EU need to make significant, lasting changes in response to Trump 2.0 national security policy–quickly, and ideally in coordination with Washington.

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NATO’s new Arctic presence shows that European allies are stepping up

Heading into the Ankara summit, the Arctic region offers a prime example of where European allies are stepping up and laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation.

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More European NATO allies should step up help to Ukraine through PURL

NATO’s Ankara summit is an opportunity for allies to expand participation in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which funds US-made military equipment for Ukraine.

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NATO can emerge from the Ankara summit stronger. Here’s how.

Allies can strengthen the Alliance by continuing to increase defense spending, accelerating joint capability development, and sustaining their support for Ukraine.

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TRACKING NATO SPENDING

Trackers and Data Visualizations

Jun 20, 2025

NATO defense spending tracker

By Kristen Taylor, Julia Salabert

The Transatlantic Security Initiative’s NATO defense spending tracker delves into data and figures to analyze current defense spending trends.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

FEATURED READING

Back to the North

Dispatches Jul 9, 2026

Eleven takeaways from the NATO Summit in Ankara 

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts break down the most important developments coming out of the Ankara summit.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Back to the North

Fast Thinking Jul 8, 2026

Was the NATO Summit a success?

By Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council experts break down an eventful two days in Ankara.
NATO Security & Defense
Back to the North

Dispatches Jul 2, 2026

Civilian infrastructure is now a strategic target. NATO must adapt to protect it.

Allies must preserve the ability to move, reinforce, sustain, communicate, mobilize, and, if necessary, fight under conditions of disruption.
Europe & Eurasia NATO
Back to the North

Dispatches Jul 2, 2026

Europe should take the long bet on the US and the transatlantic security relationship

By Ian Brzezinski, Philippe Dickinson

In Ankara, European leaders must seize the opportunity to reinforce the long-term foundations of the Alliance.
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
Back to the North

Dispatches Jun 23, 2026

How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

By Kristen Taylor, Matt Trunkey

Expect NATO leadership to focus on three main issues: defense spending, defense industrial production, and aid to Ukraine.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Back to the North

Dispatches Jun 17, 2026

NATO’s southern flank is exposed. Portugal can help fortify it.

By Randi Charno Levine

The Alliance was not designed to focus only on its easter flank. Vulnerabilities to NATO’s south are accumulating faster than strategy is adapting.
Maritime Security NATO

FEATURED EVENTS

Private Event Thu, June 25, 2026 • 1:45 pm ET

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the Ankara Summit Agenda

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte lays out his priorities for the upcoming Ankara summit.

Central Europe Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia European Union
Public Event Wed, June 17, 2026 • 3:30 pm ET

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENT—The Atlantic Council hosts Senators Shaheen and Tillis for a conversation on the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara.
Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense
Public Event Tue, April 28, 2026 • 10:15 am ET

Belgium’s defense minister on the future of transatlantic security relations

Minister of Defense of Belgium Theo Francken shares his views on transatlantic security developments and Belgium’s role in Europe’s growing defense industry.
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia NATO Politics & Diplomacy

TUNE IN

ARCHIVES: THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL ON THE ROAD TO THE NATO SUMMIT

Programs and initiatives

The Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.

Learn more

Within the Atlantic Council’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the transatlantic relationship, the Atlantic Council Turkey Program conducts research, provides thought leadership, and offers a platform for strategic dialogue between the US, Turkey, and NATO allies to address the region’s toughest challenges and explore opportunities, including in the fields of energy, business & trade, technology, defense, and security.

Learn more

Content

Issue Brief

Apr 5, 2017

Back to the North

By Magnus Nordenman

The European security environment is at its most volatile since the Cold War, and much of the friction between NATO and a newly assertive Russia can be found in the maritime domain, particularly in the Baltic Sea region. This means that NATO must once again address the role of the maritime domain in collective defense […]

Maritime Security NATO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9625468262/in/photolist-7Zj35K-7TyG1u-acg3Xz-9G5cHU-bbJzcK-y4Wzmj-9dCoDB-bEig3X-fEz3nm-8Bx1kS-7xEepE-7xGZuJ-7YzKPx-7xxeF6-7xB4n5-7xB4k3-a89HtA-7xApTx-7xApRi-6AvoDF-baeQQr-7xwzGz-89iS3C-baJWM4-jpTSz6-xNjykk-8186dW-8S8XVG-fJAcMX-83qdkp-8sApmN-8sQXMg-8sAp7f-9RzkUR-8sU1hG

NATOSource

Apr 4, 2017

Lithuania Says Russia has Ability to Launch Baltic Attack in 24 Hours

By Andrius Sytas, Reuters

Russia has developed the capability to launch an attack on the Baltic states with as little as 24 hours’ notice

Intelligence NATO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nato/33625124061/in/photolist-SdmPhZ-TgUkD2-SbNTtx-SbTBqk-SQEwSh-ScFjCH-Tn48VA-Tccx2L-SQEx1J-SQExqS-SQEx6y-S9amgj-SQExi7-SQExby-QSC1ef-QTgESn-RyhHso-Rh3EHU-Q8VqHZ-R5E9qw-Tn9onw-Q7mTTk-TqKh9F-Thyuws-TekxUi-SQKF4N-TekyqD-Tekxqx-SQLetY-TbWjew-SbUxJF-QtKr9Y-ShQ9iM-RcbnoP

NATOSource

Apr 3, 2017

Is Trump Actually Good for NATO?

By Barbara Plett Usher, BBC

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told me last week that his job has in some ways been made easier by US President Donald Trump.

NATO Security & Defense
https://www.flickr.com/photos/latvianmfa/33146029736/in/photolist-Sv14Rj-Rh2q3J-Sv166y-Sv15rh-RYTUZs-RjE6TF-RYTUHq-RjE6EV-SjRN1U-Sv16YL-Rh2qJo-Sv14iL-RjwGh6-Snh2GF-RgTzUd-SymQpi-RgEr4o-RjiVG8-RjiWh6-SymRk6-Sn4ktD-RgEseE-RgErWL-Sn4jMP-Sn4kS4-SuFw8f-Sks6kz-RWUyrJ-T12T4i-SWpUgu-SWpUv7-SNFBRB-SWpUUU-Rf2wM7-St3JzQ-RWUxCQ-SWpTBJ-SNFBze-SNFBHa-SNFBqr-SNFBhR-SNFB94-SWpVtE-SWpV9b-SmoygL-SdHGxR-SqdxvT-SdHGG8-RQk8VG-RQk8Pj

NATOSource

Apr 3, 2017

German Foreign Minister Challenges US Demands on NATO Defense Spending

By Sigmar Gabriel, German Foreign Ministry

The Alliance is at a crossroads and faces multiple challenges in and around Europe. In view of these challenges, a strong transatlantic bond is key!

Germany NATO
https://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/33368550190/

NATOSource

Apr 3, 2017

Trump Administration Gives NATO A Deadline on Defense Spending

By Rex Tillerson, Department of State

Good morning, Secretary General and my fellow ministers, and thank you for the opportunity to speak.

NATO Security & Defense

Report

Mar 29, 2017

Europe in 2022: alternative futures

By Mathew Burrows and Frances Burwell

Sixty years after the signing of the Treaty of Rome, Europe faces its greatest challenges, and possibly its sharpest turning point, since World War II. In this report, Europe in 2022: Alternative Futures, Frances Burwell’s transatlantic expertise joins Mathew Burrows’ deft trends analysis to offer a sobering look at the possible future for Europe with the hope of reigniting the bond between Americans and Europeans so that we may build a better future together.

Central Europe Eastern Europe
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dhsgov/33133469112/in/photolist-StTG1Q-SPJncV-T1EEJ5-StTF7W-RLasV3-SsNUBq-T9zGit-SwjDHa-StTFxW-RKiDBv-m9MW9r-SQhxHz-RM7eWX-SG5gAY-T4DcGd-SE1CTs-SdmPhZ-SFmuyw-RLasJS-SZJTL4-SuoijN-Srn9qA-kGQ2is-QDxFTU-RxcVRQ-SPwgVX-S93viJ-SLLhRP-RdnrKG-SZ54hN-RM4rBe-kUed9d-T2sbjg-SvcBp1-RnwurS-SrjQdZ-RJyPT1-RwPv4Z-SXpz6u-RNZZYg-8aHDTh-SLLi4T-StTEpJ-S8N9Eb-S85F5u-SfQsvm-RS4aJW-QWKNfA-R6BpYT-SMhuWN

NATOSource

Mar 22, 2017

Tillerson Urges Senate Ratification of Montenegro’s NATO Membership

By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance

NATO Russia

New Atlanticist

Mar 22, 2017

Despite Sen. Rand Paul, Montenegro’s Foreign Minister is Confident of NATO Membership

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Montenegro’s Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic is confident that, despite a procedural setback, the US Senate will ratify a protocol that will allow his nation to become the twenty-ninth member of NATO. This, he said, should happen before the Alliance’s summit in Brussels in May. NATO foreign ministers signed the Accession Protocol with Montenegro in May […]

European Union International Organizations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridtjof_Nansen-class_frigate#/media/File:HNoMS_Otto_Sverdrup.jpg

NATOSource

Mar 21, 2017

Russia Threatens Norway to Stay Out of NATO Missile Defense

By Russian Embassy in Norway and Norway Today

From Russian Embassy in Norway:  Deployment of strategic missile defense capabilities within the global missile defense system might potentially jeopardize the efficiency of Russian strategic nuclear forces as a means of deterrence.

Missile Defense NATO

In the News

Mar 21, 2017

Benitez Quoted by the Independent on the US-NATO Relations

By Jorge Benitez

Read the full article here.

NATO Security & Defense
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Experts

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Staff

Nika Aleksejeva

Resident Fellow, Baltics

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Disinformation

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Global Leadership Center

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Ryan Arick

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

NATO Security & Defense

Fellow

Lisa Aronsson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
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