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

Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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
Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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
Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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
Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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
Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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
Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

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

In the News

Mar 23, 2023

Feldman-Piltch in Non-State Actress on transnational criminal networks, antiquities trafficking, and US government responses

By Maggie Feldman-Piltch

On March 23, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Maggie Feldman-Piltch wrote the latest edition of “Non-State Actress,” in which she examined antiquities trafficking and transnational criminal networks; the linkage to terrorism; and US government agency responses. The Non-State Actress project is made possible by generous support from the German Federal Foreign Office, whom we […]

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

Report

Mar 20, 2023

Humanitarian aid: Defining new areas of US-LAC collaboration

By Craig Faller and Patrick Paterson

The US humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) system—well practiced and extensively developed—could further serve US and partners’ needs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and beyond through targeted improvements. Based on our experience as HADR practitioners with operational and academic expertise, we share insights from many years of working with partners in the Americas.

Americas Caribbean

New Atlanticist

Mar 20, 2023

<strong>What NATO can do now to apply lessons from Russia’s war in Ukraine</strong>

By John R. Deni

NATO should be setting higher defense targets for major European allies, exploring hybrid warfare, and more.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 19, 2023

Hooker in the National Journal: Dramatic downing of US drone leads Congress to call for a new Black Sea strategy

Richard Hooker discusses that although the Black Sea region has garnered renewed attention since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, this is not the first time the region has played a significant role in international relations. There is a critical need for a new Black Sea strategy, as the recent downing of an US drone demonstrates.

Conflict NATO

In the News

Mar 19, 2023

Binnendijk in Global Politics and Strategy: Towards Nuclear Stewardship with China

By Hans Binnendijk

Binnendijk and Gompert argue that with the rising risk of complex crises and military escalation in the Pacific region, the United States should invite China into a process of nuclear restraint and confidence-building, called ‘nuclear stewardship.' This process could start with a joint bilateral declaration that neither superpower would use nuclear weapons first against the other or its formal allies.

Arms Control Defense Policy

In the News

Mar 18, 2023

Brzezinski in NBC News on Norway’s reaction to Russian subs and aircraft stepping up arctic patrols

On March 18, the Transatlantic Security Initiative’s resident senior fellow Ian Brzezinski was quoted in a NBC news article that discussed Norway’s reaction to Russian subs and aircraft stepping up Arctic patrols.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

New Atlanticist

Mar 18, 2023

Experts react: Turkey moves to approve Finland’s NATO membership. Where does that leave Sweden?

By Atlantic Council experts

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would approve of Finland's membership in NATO, our experts break down what's next.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fast Thinking

Mar 17, 2023

<strong>Is Finland moving into NATO without Sweden?</strong>

By Atlantic Council

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would push Finland's NATO accession without Sweden, our world-class experts explore what's next.

Conflict Crisis Management
A Ukrainian soldier of the Paratroopers' of 80th brigade listens to artillery fire a frontline position near Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms aerial strikes on industrial plants north of Bakhmut

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian forces continue their offensive on Bakhmut, the DFRLab examined satellite imagery to reveal the potential of missile attacks.

Central Europe Conflict

MENASource

Mar 17, 2023

How the war in Iraq changed the world—and what change could come next

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts break down how this conflict has transformed not only military operations and strategy, but also diplomacy, intelligence, national security, energy security, economic statecraft, and much more.

Climate Change & Climate Action Conflict
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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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