NATO

NATO

From July 7 to 8, 2026, heads of state and governmentĀ  gathered at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, where allies sought to capitalize on the success of 2025ā€™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 expertsā€™ 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 yearā€™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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Europeā€™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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NATOā€™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. Hereā€™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

Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

Dispatches Jul 9, 2026

Eleven takeaways from the NATO Summit in AnkaraĀ 

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts break down the most important developments coming out of the Ankara summit.
Defense Industry Defense Policy
Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

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
Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

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
Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

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
Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

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
Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

Dispatches Jun 17, 2026

NATOā€™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 NATOā€™s south are accumulating faster than strategy is adapting.
Maritime Security NATO

FEATURED EVENTS

Private Event Thu, June 25, 2026 ā€¢ 1:45 pm ET

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the Ankara Summit Agenda

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENTā€”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 ā€¢ 3:30 pm ET

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

AN AC FRONT PAGE EVENTā€”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 ā€¢ 10:15 am ET

Belgiumā€™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 Belgiumā€™s role in Europeā€™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 Councilā€™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 regionā€™s toughest challenges and explore opportunities, including in the fields of energy, business & trade, technology, defense, and security.

Learn more

Content

In the News

Jul 11, 2024

Kepe quoted in alfa.lt on NATO Summit

By Marta Kepe

On July 11, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Marta Kepe was quoted inĀ alfa.lt discussing NATO Summit deliverables and the message sent to Russia.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 11, 2024

RichĀ OutzenĀ joined WION News to discuss NATO Summit
Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jul 10, 2024

Our experts read between the lines of NATOā€™s Washington summit communiquĆ©

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts offer their insights on NATOā€™s Washington Summit Declaration, released on Wednesday during the Allianceā€™s seventy-fifth-anniversary meeting in the US capital.

China Europe & Eurasia

Transcript

Jul 10, 2024

ā€˜Iā€™m an optimist for the future of this Alliance,ā€™ says NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

By Atlantic Council

The outgoing NATO secretary general spoke with Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe at the NATO Public Forum on July 10.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Transcript

Jul 10, 2024

Any attempt to undermine NATO undermines US security, says Lloyd Austin

By Atlantic Council

At the Washington summit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed NATOā€™s history and the Allianceā€™s plans to bolster support for Ukraine.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 10, 2024

Jeglinskas in Washington Times on Ukraine’s path to NATO

On July 10, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Giedrimas Jeglinskas was quoted inĀ the Washington Times discussing Ukraine’s readiness to join NATO.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Jul 9, 2024

How NATO can prove its enduring relevance at the Washington summit

By Giedrimas Jeglinskas

Allies must do more to augment Ukraineā€™s warfighting capabilities and bring it into the Alliance, as well as boost their own spending on defense.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

In the News

Jul 9, 2024

Townsend in the Chinese version of the Wall Street Journal on Biden’s health and performance during the NATO Summit

By James J. Townsend Jr.

On July 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior advisor Jim Townsend was quoted in the Chinese version of the Wall Street Journal on Joe Biden’s health and his performance at the NATO Summit in Washington.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Inflection Points Today

Jul 9, 2024

Putin, Xi, OrbƔn, and Modi provide a disturbing backdrop to the start of the NATO Summit

By Frederick Kempe

The split screens haunting the NATO Summit include a deadly attack on a childrenā€™s hospital and meetings with autocrats in Moscow and Beijing.

China Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 9, 2024

Brzezinski featured in AP News on NATO Summit deliverables

By Ian Brzezinski

On July 9, Transatlantic Security Initiative senior fellow Ian Brzezinski was quoted in AP News discussing NATO Summit deliverables and the impact the Summit will have on Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.

NATO United States and Canada
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Experts

Staff

Philippe Dickinson

Deputy Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Chinese East Asia

Board director

Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky

Vice Chair, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Latin America China

Fellow

Arnold C. Dupuy

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Turkey Energy & Environment

Fellow

David F. Helvey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Cori Fleser

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Americas Defense Policy

Staff

Denise Forsthuber

Director, Strategic Engagement and Operations

Europe Center Transform Europe Initiative

Central Europe Eastern Europe
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