Europe’s Defense Awakening and Its Strategic Partners: Any Place for Turkey?

Executive Summary

IPC-Mercator Commentary ''Europe's Defence Awakening and Its Strategic Partners: Any Place for Turkey?"" by 2024/25 Mercator-IPC Fellow Samuele C.A. Abrami and IPC Visiting Researcher Riccardo Gasco was published.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has sent shockwaves across European capitals, reshaping what had long been taken for granted: that, regardless of its leadership, Washington would unconditionally align and support Europe’s strategic and security needs. Yet, the new U.S. administration’s erratic stance on NATO, the temporary—then resumed—halt in arms deliveries to Ukraine, and the exclusion of European leaders from critical negotiations have all reinforced a stark reality: Europe must take responsibility for its own defense.

Within this changing geopolitical environment, this commentary examines the pressing challenges in Europe’s defense and security policies, the strategic significance of Turkey, and its evolving role within the emerging security architecture—particularly through bilateral cooperation, as illustrated by the recent defense deals signed with Italy and other European countries.