Global Ethics Corner: NATO and Turkey: Should Human Rights Be Sacrificed for a Missile Defense System?

Jan 20, 2012

As NATO's missile defense system goes live in Turkey, questions have been raised about the nation's human rights record. Should NATO condemn Turkey's recent crackdowns on free speech and the media? Or does the country's geostrategic importance trump these concerns?

NATO's controversial missile defense system only recently went live in Turkey. But already, the early warning radar station is sounding alarms.

NATO's missile defense radar is designed to intercept medium-range missiles at high altitudes. It was initially hailed as a major geostrategic feat for U.S.-Turkey relations. Many predicted that the deal would protect Europe from a foreign missile attack and strengthen ties between Turkey and the West.

In recent days, however, Turkey's growing ties to NATO have caused friction.

Human rights defenders say NATO's embrace of Turkey could not come at a worse time. For decades, Turkey has been heralded as an emblem of Muslim democracy. The only Muslim-majority member of NATO, Turkey has long been praised as a powerful example of a modern secular government.

But this key U.S. ally has recently witnessed a stunning democratic setback. Human rights advocates say the government is cracking down on dissent and eliminating free speech. According to critics, freedom of the press is being curtailed through a nasty mix of state-sponsored intimidation, arrests, censorship, and fines.

Some are calling on NATO to take a more vocal role in condemning Turkey's anti-democratic trajectory. In a recent GOP debate, former U.S. presidential hopeful Rick Perry even went so far as to suggest that Turkey be expelled from NATO.

As the geostrategic partnership between Turkey and NATO strengthens, how important is Turkey's human rights record? Should NATO take a more vocal stance against signs of authoritarian retrenchment? Or, does Turkey's geostrategic importance outweigh its domestic political setbacks?

By Marlene Spoerri

For more information see

Dan Bilefsky and Sebnem Arsu, "Charges Against Journalists Dim the Democratic Glow in Turkey," The New York Times, January 4, 2012

Steven A. Cook and Bernard Gwertzman, "Turkey's Rising Mideast Role," Council on Foreign Relations, October 26, 2011

Keith Johnson, "Talking Turkey: Rick Perry’s Latest ‘Oops’ Moment?," The Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2012

"Part of NATO missile defense system goes live in Turkey," CNN, January 16, 2012

Photo Credits in order of Appearance:
Lt. j.g. Nelson H. Balido/U.S. Navy
U.S. Missile Defense Agency
Pete Souza/White House
Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison/U.S. Air Force/Department of Defense
White Cat OR Hsing Wei
Andrea Giudiceandrea OR Randam
Alec Vuijlsteke
Gage Skidmore
Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson/Texas Military Forces

You may also like

SEP 22, 2022 Podcast

Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine, with Liubov Tsybulska

Liubov Tsybulska, a hybrid warfare expert and advisor to the government of Ukraine, discusses Russian disinformation efforts and how the conflict has changed on the ...

NOV 8, 2021 Podcast

C2GTalk: How is the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) working with countries to attain Carbon Neutrality in the ECE region? with Olga Algayerova

Many countries in the ECE region are embracing carbon neutrality recognized as the first milestone towards sustainable energy, with leaders like Canada, Denmark, France, and ...

President Biden observes vaccine dosage preparations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, January 29, 2021. CREDIT: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/51145157658/">Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz</a> (<a href="https://www.usa.gov/government-works">U.S. Government Works</a>)

MAY 19, 2021 Article

Vaccine Nationalism versus Vaccine Diplomacy

Health security is a fundamental "doorstep" issue in terms of the intersection of domestic and foreign policy. In this blog post, U.S. Global Engagement ...