Strategic and Discursive Shifts in Türkiye's Perceptions of NATO, 1952–2020

Abstract

With crises intensifying across the Middle East, the Türkiye‐NATO relationship has become a matter of vital interest for global security. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, this study investigates shifts in Ankara's perceptions of NATO from the year of Türkiye's accession in 1952 through 2020. Officials’ views are examined through an analysis of ministerial speeches delivered during parliamentary budget debates. The content analysis and statistical tests explore the thematic dimensions, political geography, and institutional meanings of these discussions. By systematically analyzing official discourse across nearly seven decades, the study moves beyond impressionistic interpretations and provides an assessment of how Türkiye has understood the alliance over time. The study shows that Turkish ministers initially had a multidimensional, normative view of NATO as a platform for democracy and diplomacy. However, after the Cold War and Ankara's shift toward a narrow, transactional focus on security, the officials tended to be silent on NATO. The findings indicate that, given Ankara's perceptions, the future of NATO‐Türkiye relations depends on pragmatic, interest‐based cooperation rather than normative alignment.