[108370] Ankara prepares for the NATO summit: Diplomacy, security preparedness, and political criticism

Towards the NATO summit in Ankara: Turkey at the center stage

Ahead of the NATO summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8, the city is at high alert. TRT Haber reports that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defined Turkey as having "one of the strongest armies in the alliance" and noted that its defense industries have a "huge advantage." Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan added in gdh that the very act of holding the summit in Ankara illustrates the country's central role in the alliance.

Alongside the praise, critical voices are being heard. In his program on Sputnik Türkiye – a channel identified with clear Russian and anti-Western positions – journalist İsmet Özçelik claimed that "NATO is a criminal organization that complicates things for Turkey" and criticized the erasure of the national defense industry in favor of dependence on the alliance. Conversely, AKP party spokesperson Ömer Çelik attacked the opposition in Son Dakika Haberler Gündem, claiming it acts against the national interest while the world recognizes the strong Turkish role.

On the operational level, the center of gravity of the Turkish security system is moving to the "Crescent and Star" (Ay Yıldız) complex, known as the "Turkish Pentagon." According to Gündem Analiz, the new headquarters in Etimesgut will centralize the Ministry of Defense and the general staffs to improve operational coordination. Haber Gündem notes that the site will host the summit's guests for welcome events.

Civilian preparations complete the festive and formal atmosphere. According to TurkishNews, taxi drivers and barbers in Ankara were instructed to maintain a presentable appearance, wear white shirts and fabric trousers, and provide guests with traditional refreshments of cologne and candies to demonstrate "Turkish hospitality."