General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTurkey may block Finland, Sweden from joining NATO
"President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday it was not possible for NATO-member Turkey to support plans by Sweden and Finland to join the pact, saying the Nordic countries were "home to many terrorist organisations".
Though Turkey has officially supported enlargement since it joined NATO 70 years ago, its opposition could pose a problem for Sweden and Finland given new members need unanimous agreement..."
https://www.reuters.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-not-positive-finland-sweden-joining-nato-2022-05-13/

David__77
(24,006 posts)It’s certainly an opportunity for Turkey or other NATO states to try to get what they want including in non-security realms.
no_hypocrisy
(51,105 posts)Could be cheaper to pay everyone else to vote Turkey out. What a disgusting show of poor faith this is.
harumph
(2,646 posts)Arazi
(7,695 posts)Samrob
(4,298 posts)Buckeyeblue
(5,861 posts)Faux pas
(15,610 posts)I'd trade turkey for Finland and Sweden.
JohnSJ
(98,376 posts)shouldn't be dong them ANY favors. That's scary.
Mister Ed
(6,552 posts)Turkey's geographical location has made it a bulwark against Russian expansion all these years, but it's still a very troublesome NATO member.
DetroitLegalBeagle
(2,340 posts)There is a greater likelihood of Turkey withdrawing from NATO than NATO kicking Turkey out.
Response to Mister Ed (Reply #10)
NullTuples This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Mister Ed (Reply #10)
SergeStorms This message was self-deleted by its author.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,417 posts)Using their geographical position in this war to squeeze out concessions.
ripcord
(5,553 posts)Marcuse
(8,284 posts)Fullduplexxx
(8,442 posts)IronLionZion
(48,453 posts)the problem is both countries have supported Kurdish political parties and groups in Turkey. Erdogan would like to murder such people without consequence.
Long term I would like to see an independent Kurdistan and we can build a new air base there when we get thrown out of Incirlik. There's no easy solution for access to the Black Sea though.
UTUSN
(73,803 posts)The whole raison d'etre for NATO is to combine against Russia (ex-USSR). Seems like a member negating the whole raison d'etre signs it out of the outfit.
Wicked Blue
(7,834 posts)Typical Russky projection propaganda
moonshinegnomie
(3,290 posts)and exclude turkey
problem solved
Trust_Reality
(2,140 posts)Turkey seems like a really big nuisance, at best. Would we want to go to war to defend Turkey? Not me!
roamer65
(37,547 posts)Finland and Sweden are already members.
The EU needs to start taking on a larger military defense role.
BannonsLiver
(19,034 posts)w0nderer
(1,937 posts)BlueWavePsych
(3,089 posts)
roamer65
(37,547 posts)The UK has already done it.
Haggis 4 Breakfast
(1,456 posts)That ONE person can stand in the way of an overwhelming majority.
Erdogan has NO authority over the vote of NATO nations. Give Finland and Sweden their membership. Let him have his temper tantrum, and reveal to the world what his true agenda is for all to see.
I remember his trip to the WH, when he brought with him a number of street thugs who proceeded to beat American citizens protesting Turkish policy nearby. He had NO respect for American citizens, American Laws and the Constitution's First Amendment right to free speech. He is nothing but a thug himself. I am tired of thugs pushing people and countries around.