Turkey and NATO

 After careful consideration, Sweden and Finland have decided to apply for NATO membership in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Both countries have realized that it was time to abandon their long-standing neutrality and enhance their security through the North Atlantic alliance. They did so in the face of threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their formal applications have been almost unanimously welcomed by NATO member countries.

I say almost because Turkey is objecting. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, is once again sticking his finger in the eyes of the alliance he is supposedly part of. Erdogan is a dictator, anti-Semite, and a notoriously unreliable partner. Previously, he has threatened to open the floodgates of Middle Eastern refugees, asylum-seekers, migrants, and fortune seekers into Western Europe. Now he says he will veto Sweden and Finland's entrance into NATO. (All NATO members have to approve the applications).  Erdogan is accusing Finland and Sweden of supporting his Kurdish enemies So now, NATO reps have to fly off to Ankara and negotiate with this tinpot dictator-no doubt to sweeten the pot for Turkey.

I recognize there are geopolitical considerations for keeping Turkey in NATO, but at what point do we realize that one of our members is no friend? Personally, I would like to see Turkey (under Erdogan) kicked out of NATO. If Erdogan thinks he can find better security in bed with the Russian army after its embarrassing performance against Ukraine, let him go. NATO is better off with Sweden and Finalnd.