Turkey's Strategic Leverage Grows as Europe Hedges Against American Uncertainty

As Trump signals distance from NATO, European members are reassessing Turkey's value—not warmly, but pragmatically. Ankara's military capabilities, domestically-built drone technology, and geographic control of shipping routes through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles have become assets no European coalition can replace. Though distrustful of Erdogan's allegiances, European planners recognize that forward defense without Turkish territory is strategically unworkable. Turkey, historically NATO's difficult member, now holds real leverage.