Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a speech to fellow party members in Sakarya, promised to “revise the outcome of World War I and annex Syrian territories (formerly Ottoman provinces) into Turkey,” Telegram channel “Turkey’s Top News” reported.
Curious, if that happens, is that part of EU and NATO? Or are they (EU and NATO) gonna refuse to recognize it? 🤔
I presume that the other NATO countries will refuse to recognize annexed areas as part of the territory of Turkey and so they will not be protected by the treaty. Note how the treaty already does not protect even internationally recognized parts of certain member countries (for example Hawaii).
What if the Syrians carry out retaliatory strikes in Turkey?
From when Turkey first invaded Syria:
Source.
Syria no longer has the military power to pose a real threat to Turkey, so they likely wouldn’t invoke article five anyway. Plus, if they invoke article five, they would then have all of NATO camped in their backyard. That would put a serious damper on any of the more egregious things Erdogan wants to get away with.
It goes against the idea of NATO which is based off the United Nations Charter.
NATO is a defensive alliance where the respect for sovereignty and mutual defense is what makes it work.
Turkey going for annexation goes against the ideology of NATO by not respecting international sovereignty. NATO will never help them in a forceful annexation. But if everybody involved allows the annexation peacefully, eventually it will be accepted.
If Turkey annexes by force, there are 3 most likely possibilities: NATO kicks them out, NATO stays neutral and does not help (even when the Kurds/Syrians retaliate), or NATO keeps a defensive role at the border while ensuring humanitarian aid to the area.
Whether or not NATO recognizes the annexation will depend on a vote by the members (Most likely with a high approval requirement).