By Sadiq Bhat
The ongoing NATO summit in Washington, DC, has become a pivotal gathering in the shadow of two major conflicts: the war in Ukraine and the besieged Gaza. With leaders from member states discussing crucial support for Ukraine, the summit is marked by both unity and tension.
US President Joe Biden, hosting the event, emphasised the unwavering commitment of NATO to Ukraine's defence.
"We stand together in our resolve," he declared, underscoring the alliance's solidarity.
Yet, amidst the discussions on Ukraine, the Gaza conflict looms large, brought to the forefront by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"During the NATO leaders' summit, we will raise the massacres of the Palestinian people in Gaza, where our shared values are going through a sincerity test," President Erdogan stated ahead of the summit.
"The international community has failed to stop Israel, and the global conscience will not be able to breathe a sigh of relief until a just and lasting peace is established in Palestine."
On Wednesday, he met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and discussed Israel's onslaught on Gaza.
The Turkish president conveyed to Scholz the importance of exerting pressure on Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza and seize the opportunity for a ceasefire, as reported by Türkiye's Communications Directorate.
He emphasised the need to intensify efforts to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the region.
Earlier, Erdogan met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reiterating the message that positive efforts should be increased to end the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine.
Discussing Gaza ceasefire
Türkiye's geostrategic importance and its vocal stance on Gaza makes it a key partner within NATO. US officials say they will discuss Gaza war with their Turkish counterparts during the three-day summit.
"When it comes to the Middle East, look, I’m sure there's going to be a range of discussions, including bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit, where this will come up. The Middle East is not Euro-Atlantic territory, but obviously it impinges on the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. So what's happening now in the Middle East is of course of concern to all NATO leaders," said Biden's special adviser Mike Carpenter, ahead of the summit.
On Türkiye's role, he asserted: "Türkiye sits at a critical juncture, both in terms of the Eastern Mediterranean, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea."
"What Türkiye has done with the Montreux Convention has been very important in terms of limiting Russian warships in the Black Sea. It's an important ally, and we need to continue our conversation with our Turkish friends about this range of issues."
The US State Department also acknowledged Türkiye's concerns over Gaza, with spokesperson Matthew Miller confirming ongoing discussions.
"US leadership will continue discussing Gaza ceasefire efforts with Turkish counterparts during the NATO Summit," Miller told TRT World, highlighting the diplomatic engagement on this pressing issue.
Professor Bulent Gokay, Head of the School of Politics, International Relations and the Environment (SPIRE) at Keele University, provided a broader perspective on the dual crises facing NATO.
"The war in Ukraine presents the biggest challenge to NATO's existence," he told TRT World.
"The summit is expected to extend a 'bridge' to NATO membership for Ukraine, but without a binding timetable. At the same time, NATO members are likely to be urged by Türkiye to do everything to stop Israel's war on Gaza. However, direct NATO involvement in the Gaza conflict seems very unlikely."
Limited to capacity-building
Gokay underscores the complexity of NATO's strategic priorities.
"NATO's role in the Middle East is most likely to remain limited to military training functions and capacity-building rather than direct combat operations," he explained.
"There is a clear desire to get core missions right and not expand NATO operations beyond that, especially after the end of the Afghanistan mission."
As the summit progresses, NATO's focus remains on deterring threats from state actors like Russia and addressing the rise of China's influence.
However, the conflict in Gaza continues to be a poignant reminder of the humanitarian crises that demand attention.
Erdogan's advocacy for Gaza at the NATO summit reflects Türkiye's broader ambitions and its commitment to addressing regional conflicts.
"We patiently follow the process of Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha," Erdogan said.
"Our intelligence chief and foreign minister follow it. Hopefully, we'll get the expected results soon."
His comments resonate with a deep-seated desire for peace and justice in a troubled region.
Deftly navigating the intricate challenge of bolstering Ukraine, the NATO summit in Washington, DC, stands at a critical juncture. The US, the Netherlands, and Denmark have already announced the imminent deployment of NATO-provided F-16s to Ukraine, a move welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Simultaneously, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a critical focus.
With Türkiye playing a pivotal role in highlighting the issue and the US engaging in diplomatic efforts, the ongoing summit exemplifies the complexity and potential of international cooperation on the world's most pressing issues.
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