IstanPol’s research titled “Perceptions and Attitudes towards NATO” is based on interviews conducted with 1,773 respondents living in 21 provinces and 57 districts across Türkiye between 22 and 29 June 2026. The survey was carried out using the CATI method, with quotas based on respondents’ age, gender, level of education, and voting preferences in the 2023 elections. The margin of error is ±2.3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

The study examines public perceptions of Türkiye’s NATO membership, the Alliance’s role in the country’s security, and the future of Türkiye–NATO relations. It also addresses NATO’s potential role in providing security guarantees during regional crises, whether Türkiye should pursue a foreign policy independent of NATO, the impact of the NATO Summit in Ankara on Türkiye’s international standing, and the role of leader-to-leader diplomacy.

The research was conducted with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Türkiye Office. You can download the full research findings here.

General attitudes towards NATO membership

According to the research, 64.3% of respondents believe that NATO membership is beneficial to Türkiye’s security. This view is widely shared among the electorates of different political parties, while only 16.4% consider NATO membership not to be beneficial.

NATO as a security guarantee

A total of 51.1% of respondents agree that NATO membership provided Türkiye with a protective shield during the war between the United States and Iran. However, the proportion who believe that NATO would defend Türkiye in the event of a direct attack falls to 43.1%. Meanwhile, 32.1% do not believe that NATO would defend Türkiye in such a situation.

NATO’s position in a possible Türkiye–Israel crisis

The proportion of respondents who believe that NATO would side with Türkiye in the event of a crisis between Türkiye and Israel is 40.2%, while 34.3% disagree. Expectations that NATO would support Türkiye are stronger among AK Party and MHP voters, but more limited among CHP and DEM Party voters.

NATO membership and an independent foreign policy

A total of 41.7% of respondents believe that Türkiye should act independently of NATO in its foreign policy, while 30.3% disagree. The findings suggest that viewing NATO membership as beneficial for security and favouring greater foreign-policy autonomy can coexist within Turkish society.

The NATO Summit in Ankara and Türkiye’s international standing

According to the survey, 55.1% of respondents believe that holding the NATO Summit in Ankara enhances Türkiye’s international standing. This view receives particularly strong support among AK Party and MHP voters.

The proportion of respondents who believe that Trump’s participation in the NATO meeting in Ankara is a result of President Erdoğan’s personal diplomacy is 40.1%. By comparison, 32.8% disagree with this assessment.