Episode 124: After Ankara: First Reflections on the 2026 NATO Summit
The 2026 NATO Summit convened at a moment of fragile unity for the alliance. What did it deliver? What did it leave unresolved?
In this episode of Global Security Briefing, RUSI’s Director-General Rachel Ellehuus is joined by three colleagues, each bringing with them a different perspective on the alliance: Natia Seskuria, Senior Research Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Security, Burcu Ozcelik, Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security, and Oana Lungescu, Former NATO Spokesperson and RUSI Distinguished Fellow. Burcu and Oana join the recording from Ankara and offer their reflections on the atmosphere on the ground.
The three core questions explored in this episode are:
- What did the summit tell us about how NATO as a whole – and individual members – view Russia?
- Second, what does the summit and its mention of Iran mean for the Middle East, and where does the region now sit among NATO's priorities?
- Third, what does the summit mean for Europe, and where does the transatlantic relationship now stand? What about the roles of Turkey and Ukraine?
FEATURING
Natia Seskuria
Senior Research Fellow, Russian and Eurasian Security
International Security
Rachel Ellehuus
RUSI Director-General
Senior Management
Dr Burcu Ozcelik
Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security
International Security
Oana Lungescu
RUSI Distinguished Fellow; RUSI Europe Advisory Board Member
