Turks view NATO favorably despite 80% holding negative views of US: Survey

A new Pew Research Center survey highlights a growing divide in Turkish public opinion toward international alliances and world powers.

The global attitudes survey in Türkiye was conducted between Jan. 29 and March 11 this year via face-to-face interviews with 1,049 people throughout the country. 

The results show that Turks increasingly view NATO favorably, with 42% holding positive opinions of the alliance. In contrast, 80% of Turkish adults express negative views toward the United States, illustrating a stark contrast in attitudes toward Western powers.

NATO’s rising popularity despite US distrust

According to the survey, Turkish support for NATO has risen significantly in recent years, up from 25% in 2019 to 42% in early 2023. This increase comes despite ongoing tensions between Türkiye and several NATO allies, particularly over issues like Türkiye’s purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile systems.

Meanwhile, unfavorable views of the U.S. remain widespread, with 80% of respondents expressing a negative opinion of the country. This sentiment persists despite Türkiye’s longstanding membership in NATO and strategic partnerships with the U.S. in various military and political spheres.

Regional instability driving NATO support

Experts attribute the rise in NATO’s favorability to increasing concerns over regional instability, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Türkiye, which shares a crucial geopolitical position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, has viewed NATO as a potential stabilizing force in the region.

“The Turkish public has grown more favorable toward NATO, possibly because of the rising tensions in the region, particularly due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine,” said Ceren Kenar, an independent analyst, in a report by Ragip Soylu for the Middle East Eye.

“This shift highlights the complex nature of Türkiye’s foreign relations and its balancing act between Western alliances and Eastern partnerships,” Kenar said.

Trust in government divided along political lines

While NATO’s support has grown, Turkish trust in their national government remains mixed.

According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of Turks trust the government to do what is right for the country, while 51% do not. Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are significantly more likely to express trust in the government, with 84% of those with a favorable opinion of Erdogan trusting the government compared to just 17% of nonsupporters.

The survey also shows that trust in the government and attitudes toward foreign relations are strongly correlated. Turks who support Erdogan tend to hold more favorable views of Russia and China, while those critical of the president are more likely to view Western powers like the U.S. and the European Union positively.

Negative views of US span political spectrum

The survey found that negative perceptions of the U.S. cut across political divides in Türkiye. Both Erdogan supporters and critics express a high level of distrust toward the U.S., with only 18% of Turks overall holding a favorable view of the country.

This reflects long-standing tensions between Türkiye and the U.S., fueled by issues such as American support for armed groups in Syria, such as PKK/YPG/SDF terrorist group which Türkiye and some others view as terrorist organizations, and the continued presence of Fethullah Gulen, whom is responsible for the 2016 coup attempt organized by the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), residing in the Pennsylvania, U.S.

During the coup attempt, over 300 people were killed, and more than 2,100 were injured. Many government buildings, including the Turkish Parliament and the Presidential Palace, were bombed from the air by the soldiers who were participating in the FETO’s failed coup attempt.

EU membership support grows amid economic concerns

The survey also revealed growing support for Türkiye’s potential membership in the European Union, with 56% of Turks now favoring EU accession. This marks a notable rise from 40% in 2017, driven in part by economic concerns such as hyperinflation and currency instability.

Many Turks see EU membership as a potential solution to these economic challenges, hoping that closer integration with European markets could bring stability to the country’s economy. Younger Turks and those with higher levels of education are particularly supportive of EU membership, with 66% of adults under 35 favoring the move.

Conflicting views on global powers and leadership

Beyond NATO and the EU, Turkish public opinion of other global powers remains largely negative. The survey found that only 26% of Turks have a favorable view of China, while just 30% view Russia positively. Confidence in global leaders is similarly low, with 60% of respondents expressing little to no confidence in the world’s major political figures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are the most trusted international leaders, with 31% and 29% of Turks expressing confidence in them, respectively. By comparison, U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump receive some of the lowest confidence ratings, with only about one in 10 Turks expressing trust in either leader.

Political and demographic divides in NATO support

The survey results also highlighted key demographic and political divides in support for NATO.

Turks aged 50 and older are more likely to view NATO favorably than those under 35. Additionally, Turks who pray more frequently (one of the Pew Center’s measures of religiosity) are less likely to support NATO and Western institutions compared to those who pray less often.

Support for NATO is also higher among Turks with secondary education, whereas those with postsecondary education are more likely to support Türkiye’s EU membership.