Our World

EUROPE/NATO: The transatlantic environment is changing rapidly. The question is no longer whether Europe needs to take on greater responsibility in NATO, but how this can be done without weakening NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities or its political cohesion. The transition is urgent. Europe has a limited time to step up while the US still has a substantial military presence in Europe and Russia is preoccupied with the war in Ukraine. Europe must prepare for a situation where American support may be delayed, more limited, and less predictable (Atlantic Council).

A stronger Europe in NATO—the way forward This report analyzes what a stronger Europe in NATO means in practice, how European allies can take greater responsibility without weakening the cohesion of the Alliance, and what role Sweden can play.

TÜRKIYE: The era when major powers and multilateral institutions dominated peacemaking is fading. As the international order fragments, middle powers are playing an increasingly prominent diplomatic role. Among them, Türkiye has emerged as one of the most ambitious. Its growing role reflects a broader shift in which middle powers use mediation not only to manage conflicts but also project influence, build partnerships, and navigate uncertainty. Its prominence as the host of this year’s NATO Summit underscores Ankara’s increasingly central role in global peace and security despite persistent tensions with some of its Western allies and partners (International Crisis Group).

Türkiye and the Geopolitics of Mediation | International Crisis Group This commentary is part of Crisis Group’s body of work examining how middle powers are reshaping conflict resolution. It explores Ankara’s foreign policy, the “Turkish way” of mediation, and the strengths and limitations of this approach.