Professor Semih Koray: NATO is a Direct Threat to Turkey, Not Russia and Iran

Analyzing the Ankara Summit: NATO vs. Eurasia While Ankara is set to host the official NATO summit in July 2026, a parallel conference titled 'Union to Prevent the Great War' was organized by the Global Civilizations Initiative Research Center (DÜNYAMER). Professor Semih Koray, the president of this center, provided shocking analyses of the regional security situation in his opening speech. He believes that contrary to official narratives, NATO is not only not a guarantor of Turkey's security but is considered the greatest threat to the country's national sovereignty [1].

NATO: Hegemony Tool or Defense Alliance? Professor Koray, sharply criticizing NATO's structure, viewed the organization not as a defense alliance but as a tool for maintaining United States hegemony. He noted that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, instead of dissolving, NATO rapidly expanded eastward to pressure independent nations. According to him, the history of NATO interventions in Turkey, including support for military coups, terrorist provocations, and involvement in events such as the failed July 15 coup, demonstrates the true nature of this alliance toward Ankara [1][3].

Russia and Iran: Strategic Allies in the New Order One of Semih Koray's key assertions at this summit was the redefinition of the concept of 'enemy' for Turkey. He explicitly stated that Russia and Iran pose no threat to Turkey. Conversely, he described these two countries, along with China, as the main pillars of the 'Front of Humanity' against Atlantic imperialism. Koray emphasized that the center of gravity for science, technology, and economic power has shifted from the West to the East, and Turkey must find its place in this new multipolar world [2].

Leaving NATO: Key to Changing the Global Balance The President of DÜNYAMER concluded his remarks by addressing the strategic consequences of changing Turkey's foreign policy. He claimed that if a country like the United States were to leave NATO, it would only result in a name change, but Turkey's withdrawal from NATO would mean the complete collapse of the old order and a fundamental shift in the global balance of power. He called on the Turkish government to move away from NATO policies and toward deeper cooperation with Eurasian countries to ensure the country's real security [1][2].