What to expect from Trump's meetings with Erdogan and Sharaa in Ankara

What Happened

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during the annual Nato summit in Ankara. These meetings follow the Trump administration's notification to Congress of a $700m military package for Turkey, which includes General Electric F110 turbofan engines for the Kaan fighter jet. The diplomatic outreach occurs amid ongoing regional tensions, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public opposition to providing Turkey with advanced military hardware like the F-35, citing concerns over Turkey's political alignment and the regional power balance.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The meetings signal a significant realignment in US foreign policy, moving away from traditional institutional approaches toward personal diplomacy with leaders previously viewed as adversaries or regional spoilers. The potential for increased military cooperation between the US and Turkey, despite Israeli objections and unresolved issues regarding the S-400 system, could alter the security architecture of the Middle East and the operational dynamics of the Nato alliance.

Watch For

Monitor the outcome of the Nato summit regarding Turkey's potential removal from the US sanctions list and any further developments concerning the $700m military package. Additionally, observe whether the US and Turkey reach any consensus on the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, a proposal currently facing resistance from the Israeli government.