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A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that Turkish public support for NATO has increased, even as unfavorable views of the United States remain high.
The survey, conducted from January 29 to March 11, 2024, included face-to-face interviews with 1,049 Turkish adults and highlighted varied perspectives on global alliances and world leaders amid regional conflicts and economic challenges.
Despite Turkey’s longstanding membership in NATO, only 42 percent of respondents expressed favorable views of the alliance.
However, this marks a substantial increase from just 21 percent in 2019, with analysts attributing the shift to Turkey’s evolving position following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The findings suggest that Turkey’s strategic interests are leading to a stronger embrace of NATO, even as anti-American sentiment persists. Only 18 percent of Turks view the United States positively, revealing a sharp contrast with the 42 percent favorability toward NATO, despite America’s central role in the alliance.
“Turkish public opinion on global powers is closely linked to their stance on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” said Jacob Poushter, associate director of Global Attitudes Research at Pew. “Erdoğan’s supporters are more inclined to view Russia and China favorably, while his critics lean toward Western institutions.”
Opinions about the European Union are slightly more positive than those about NATO, with 46 percent of Turkish respondents expressing a favorable view of the EU. Support for Turkey’s EU membership bid has risen to 56 percent, up from 40 percent in 2017, likely influenced by the country’s economic difficulties.
Views of Russia and China have varied significantly over the last decade. Russian favorability plummeted to 15 percent following the 2014 annexation of Crimea but reached a peak of 39 percent in 2019 after Turkey purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Currently, 30 percent of Turks view Russia favorably, while China’s favorability stands at 26 percent, reflecting concerns about the regional impact of the Ukraine war and broader economic strains.
Age plays a key role in shaping these views. Younger Turks under 35 are more open to Western powers, with 29 percent expressing favorable opinions of the United States, compared to just 7 percent among those 50 and older. This generational divide extends to NATO as well, with 52 percent of younger adults supporting the alliance versus 34 percent of older respondents.
Confidence in international leaders remains low across the board, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin receiving the highest ratings at approximately 30 percent each. US President Joe Biden garnered only 8 percent confidence among Turkish respondents.
The survey suggests that Turkey’s geopolitical alignment is increasingly shaped by a mix of regional security concerns and economic issues, which may be reshaping its traditional balancing act between East and West. Turkish public opinion appears responsive to regional developments and domestic political dynamics, with opinions of Russia and China often aligning despite differing diplomatic relationships.