Ballistic missile threat and NATO'S missile defense shield: An analysis from Turkey's perspective

Abstract

Concerns emanating from the inexorable link between Iran's growing ballistic missile inventory and it ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons capability are at the heart of recent US and NATO efforts to constitute a ballistic missile defense shield. EPAA (European Phased Adaptive Approach) pushed on the table by US in 2010 and endorsed by most NATO states is in harmony with Turkey's traditional positioning in the face of missile threat. Thence, not only Turkey has endorsed EPAA, but it has also become a pivotal ally in its implementation. Additionally, handing over the task of missile defense to NATO and US would enable Turkey to allocate its limited defense funds elsewhere. On the negative side, during the upcoming phases of EPAA Turkey should not underestimate the possibility of new requests and even fait-accomplis imposed upon herself, and Ankara should carefully consider possible ramifications of those on her relations with Russia, as well as her traditional policy line of observing a balance between US and European elements of her overall relationship with the West.