Politics

Jul 15, 2026 Anne O. Krueger

Few countries better illustrate the difficult trade-off between democratic principles and strategic necessity than Turkey. As the country’s geopolitical and economic importance grows, NATO allies are becoming increasingly willing to overlook President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s attacks on democratic institutions.

WASHINGTON, DC—The rapid rise of China, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the US-Israeli war with Iran have made geopolitical rivalry the main force shaping the global economy. President Donald Trump’s reversal of long-established US policies has compounded that uncertainty, forcing governments and businesses alike to navigate an increasingly complex strategic landscape.