Munich Security Report highlights growing global perception of Türkiye as an ally
Crowded people in the square of Izmir's Gundogdu and a Turkish flag in crowded people. (Adobe Stock Photo)
The 2025 Munich Security Report has highlighted a significant shift in global perception toward Türkiye, with an increasing number of countries viewing it as an ally, according to recent surveys conducted for the report.
Türkiye’s rising influence in international relations
The Munich Security Report 2025, released ahead of the 61st Munich Security Conference emphasizes Türkiye’s growing impact on international affairs.
Conducted across multiple nations, including Germany, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Brazil, Japan, Canada, India, China, and South Africa, the surveys indicate an improving perception of Türkiye in global public opinion.
According to the report, Türkiye is now seen as an ally rather than a threat in all surveyed countries except France.
The difference between those who consider Türkiye an ally versus a threat was most significant in the United Kingdom and Japan (28 percentage points), followed by China (26 points), India (25 points), South Africa (19 points), the United States and Canada (14 points each), Brazil (10 points), Italy (5 points), and Germany (2 points).
In contrast, only in France did the perception of Türkiye as a threat surpass that of an ally by a margin of two points.
Improvement in Türkiye’s global image
Compared to previous surveys, the most notable increases in those viewing Türkiye as an ally were observed in Germany and the United Kingdom (each by 11 points), Italy (9 points), France (8 points), and Canada (6 points).
Türkiye ranked as the second country—after South Korea—where public perception improved the most over the past year, followed by the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Poland.
Shifting global alliances and perceptions
While Türkiye’s global image has improved, the report highlights a decline in perceptions of the United States and Israel as allies.
The percentage of respondents seeing the U.S. as an ally fell by 15 points in France, 11 points in Japan, 9 points in Germany, and 6 points in the United Kingdom.
Additionally, Israel is increasingly viewed as a threat across surveyed countries, with notable increases in this perception observed in Italy (12 points), France (11 points), the United Kingdom (9 points), Germany and Japan (8 points each), and the U.S., China, and Brazil (4 points each).
Türkiye’s role in a multipolar world
The report, titled “Multipolarity,” explores shifting power dynamics in global politics, emphasizing the growing number of influential actors competing for influence.
It examines whether the emerging international system will be dominated by a U.S.-China rivalry or evolve into a multipolar framework with more competing global powers.
While Türkiye is categorized as a “regional power” rather than a global superpower, the report acknowledges its significant political influence beyond its immediate region.
“Although not considered a major power like the U.S., China, or Russia, countries like Türkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia wield considerable influence within their regions and sometimes beyond,” the report states.
As a result, states that would usually not be considered “poles” can play outsized roles in world politics. For instance, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or Turkey may not be “great powers” but are certainly power brokers in and sometimes beyond their regional environment.
Western public opinion on Türkiye
The Munich Security Index 2025, published alongside the report, provides further insights into Türkiye’s changing global perception.
The survey found that in Western Europe, views of Türkiye have improved notably. In the United Kingdom, public perception of Türkiye as an ally increased from 38% in 2023 to 47% in 2024, while in Germany, the percentage of those seeing Türkiye as a threat dropped from 36% to 31.2% over the same period.
Similarly, in Italy, the proportion of those viewing Türkiye as an ally rose from 30% to 33.5%, while in France, the figure increased from 28% to 31.2%.
The data for the G7 and “BRICS” countries is from November 2024. Data: Kekst CNC, commissioned by the Munich Security Conference. Illustration: Munich Security Conference
Türkiye’s global recognition beyond NATO
The report also noted that Türkiye enjoys a higher ally perception among BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) than among NATO allies in Western Europe.
The survey found that 51.1% of respondents in China, 50.6% in India, 42.9% in Brazil, and 40.7% in South Africa view Türkiye as an ally.
However, in China, the percentage of those perceiving Türkiye as a threat also increased by 5.6 points to 25.5%, indicating a complex and evolving view of Türkiye’s role in global affairs.
Future outlook on Türkiye’s influence
The Munich Security Report also explores global perceptions of major powers, noting regional differences in views on global leadership.
While most respondents in Western Europe see the U.S. as the leading superpower, those in India and China consider their own countries as dominant global players.
