Embassy of Belgium in the United States of America’s Post

Turkey’s strategic importance to NATO cannot be overstated. With the second-largest standing army in the alliance and control over critical access points like the Bosphorus Strait, Turkey is crucial in NATO’s defense strategy, particularly in the Black Sea and the Middle East. However, Turkey's diplomatic deviations, such as its military engagements in Syria and Iraq, its dealings with Russia, and its fluctuating stance on NATO-related matters, have created friction within the alliance. To strengthen ties, NATO should reaffirm the value of Turkey’s contributions while ensuring that any actions counter to alliance objectives are addressed within the framework of NATO’s agreements and principles. One potential solution is to leverage Turkey’s unique geopolitical position and capabilities in a way that aligns with NATO’s broader goals. For instance, Turkey’s advancements in drone technology could be integrated into NATO’s defense systems, providing both sides with mutual benefits. Additionally, engaging Turkey in strategic dialogues about its role in regional security, including its relationships with non-NATO countries could transform points of tension into opportunities for collaboration. Diplomatically, it’s crucial to acknowledge Turkey’s complex geopolitical situation while making clear that alliance membership comes with responsibilities that cannot be compromised. The focus should be on reinforcing NATO’s collective security framework, ensuring Turkey remains aligned with its core values while also respecting its need to navigate its unique geopolitical challenges. CRG maintains a significant history with the Turkish private sector and has worked close-proximity with Turkish Forces in active conflict NATO-led Theaters for nearly two decades. As the alliance thrives, so does CRG's ability to support clients in winning and managing NATO work. Don't miss your chance to secure a critical seat in this evolving landscape—contact CRG today! Visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at contact@crgroupinc.com. #CRG #NATOStrategy #TurkeyNATO #DefenseDiplomacy #Geopolitics #NATO #AllianceSecurity #CRGSupport #DefenseIndustry #GlobalSecurity #DoD #StrategicPartnerships #Turkey #BRICS #MENA #EU #EUCOM #CENTCOM #AFRICOM

CRG maintains a significant history with the Turkish private sector and has worked close-proximity with Turkish Forces in active conflict NATO-led Theaters for nearly two decades. As the alliance thrives, so does CRG's ability to support clients in winning and managing NATO work. Don't miss your chance to secure a critical seat in this evolving landscape—contact CRG today! Visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at contact@crgroupinc.com. #CRG #NATOStrategy #TurkeyNATO #DefenseDiplomacy #Geopolitics #NATO #AllianceSecurity #CRGSupport #DefenseIndustry #GlobalSecurity #DoD #StrategicPartnerships #Turkey #BRICS #MENA #EU #EUCOM #CENTCOM #AFRICOM

❓ What to expect from this week’s Washington NATO Summit 👉 In this week's special edition, Euractiv provides a comprehensive preview of the key defence discussions expected at the Washington NATO Summit, set against the backdrop of NATO’s 75th anniversary and heightened global tensions. Anticipated Agenda Highlights: 1️⃣ Support for Ukraine: Discussions will focus on enhancing military aid and delivering additional air defence systems to Ukraine amidst ongoing Russian aggression. 2️⃣ Defence Spending: NATO members are poised to reaffirm commitments to increase defence budgets, with many approaching or exceeding the 2% GDP target. 3️⃣ Defence Industrial Strategy: The summit may witness the launch of NATO’s first defence industrial pledge to strengthen member states’ arms production capabilities and promote interoperability. 4️⃣ New Memberships and Alliances: Sweden’s official accession to NATO and expanded partnerships will reshape strategic dynamics, particularly in the Baltic region. 5️⃣ Global Security Challenges: Leaders will address emerging threats, including hybrid warfare tactics employed by Russia and strategic implications of China’s global ambitions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dX9vN5iH Follow us for more updates on defence! https://lnkd.in/eaK_92bh #NATOSummit #DefenceCommunication #SierraTangoAgency

Special Edition: What to expect from this week’s Washington NATO Summit https://lnkd.in/e24tyyXp Where all eyes this week will be on NATO leaders descending into the city for a three-day summit kicking off on Tuesday 9 July, to mark the military alliance’s 75th anniversary with a self-declared mission to display unity. After all Finland and Sweden’s accession has added two highly capable militaries to NATO’s forces. The alliance has dusted off and upgraded its regional defence plans, and after decades of underinvest-ment, European members are ramping up spending. But there won’t be any large birthday party or spectacular fireworks, some – very disappointed – NATO diplomats say. Voor paywall https://lnkd.in/eW_H8B8f .

#NATO75LV20 For NATO, its 75th anniversary; for Latvia, its 20th anniversary of joining NATO! Twenty years ago, Latvia and its Baltic sisters joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an alliance that provides the cornerstone of defense upon which Latvia has established itself as an independent, democratic nation. NATO protects our Latvian-American interests of freedom and security in Latvia and beyond. Today on NATO’s 75th anniversary, ALA expresses its deepest gratitude to its countless members, donors, volunteers, partners, past leaders and friends who helped gain support from the United States and enable Latvia’s accession into the Alliance. Without robust U.S. leadership to support the Baltics then – and a strong NATO now – Latvia would fall victim to the same brutal assault that Ukraine suffers today at the hands of the murderous Putin regime. We invite you to reflect on those efforts – and the value that they yield 20 years later – chronicled by our partner advocacy organization, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC): The Baltic Journey to NATO:

A New Nordic NATO? In the future, the new Nordic unity caused by Finland and Sweden’s accessions will draw NATO’s political and military-strategic attention more toward the greater Nordic space, ranging from the Arctic over Scandinavia to the Baltic Sea area. Commentary by Henrik Breitenbauch and Benjamin Jensen — July 10, 2024 The preconditions for an ideational Nordic Sonderweg are now gone. The Nordics are no longer hypothetically above the fray or outside the tensions. The border between Russia and NATO runs along the Nordic countries. Outside of the NATO framework, they have all recently signed extensive bilateral defense cooperation agreements with the United States. They now also share their fate more directly with that of their Baltic brethren. In addition to having to defend themselves, Finland and Sweden are getting ready to accept the idea that a hypothetical war of Western survival can be fought on their territories and adjacent waters, that their armed forces in case of war will relinquish operational control to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), and that these can also be employed to defend other parts of the allied territory. Relations with Russia will be less ambiguous, and Russia will thankfully have far less to gain by playing divisive subversion politics. How the Nordics respond to that deeper change will also matter for their ability to fulfill their roles in NATO in the coming years and decades.

I am very proud that I had the opportunity to contribute to this report on this highly topical subject-matter. Special thanks to our cooperation partners of The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and everyone else who supported its publication along the way! Andrea Rotter Lukasz Kulesa Marcin Terlikowski #WeimarTriangle #France #Germany #Poland #EuropeanSecurity

Poland wants militarization of the European Union Amid anti-Russian paranoia in Europe, some leaders want the EU to militarize. Recently, a Polish official suggested the creation of a “heavy brigade” for Europe, capable of responding quickly in situations of military risk. Considering the high level of Russophobia on the European continent, this type of measure would certainly further harm the regional security architecture. The words were spoken by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski. According to him, this type of special brigade would be vital for Europe to achieve satisfactory military results, regardless of whether or not there was American involvement in military mobilization. Sikorski believes that Europe is strongly threatened by recent moves in regions such as the Balkans and North Africa, which is why the creation of its own military force should be a priority. “I’m in favor of a heavy brigade EU rapid reaction capacity so that we don’t https://lnkd.in/gncyz5fy

❗ The report, written by Lukasz Kulesa, Marcin Terlikowski, Maria Geyer and Andrea Rotter, offers insights and recommendations on Weimar Triangle policy towards Ukraine and Russia, based on a workshop with experts from France, Germany and Poland, convened in Warsaw by #PISM and Hanns Seidel Foundation. #EuropeanSecurity #WeimarTriangle 📑 You can download the report here ➡ https://tiny.pl/dqst9   ➡ Beyond increasing bilateral military support for #Ukraine, #France, #Germany, and #Poland could announce a Weimar Assistance Package that addresses Ukraine’s military needs and look into establishing a Consultation Mechanism with Ukraine, to prepare for contingencies and worst-case scenarios such as Ukraine’s military setbacks or withdrawal of U.S. support. ➡ The Weimar Triangle's future approach to #Russia could involve strengthening #NATO deterrence, presenting a set of guiding principles for a long-term Western strategy toward Russia, and developing a common Weimar position on any potential Russian diplomatic initiatives. ➡ The Weimar Triangle, comprising France, Germany, and Poland, could play a more active role in shaping European security. The report suggests measures for enhancing cooperation and developing a common approach towards Ukraine and Russia. #EuropeanSecurity #WeimarTriangle 🔹 Many thanks to all engaged in the project, especially to the experts from the Weimar Triangle states who participated in the November 2023 workshop!

The US has a historic opportunity to lock in Ukraine policy’s successes at the 2024 NATO Summit by opening accession to Ukraine. Integrating Ukraine into NATO reduces the likelihood that the US military will become overextended. NATO’s military planners estimate that it will take three to five years for Russia to rebuild and modernize its military into a more sophisticated force than it was before 2022. If Russia is not deterred, a renewal of its militarism could coincide with a confrontation between the United States and China over Taiwan. https://lnkd.in/dHp947eP