A senior Turkish military figure has issued stark criticism of NATO, describing it as a defunct “zombie alliance” that has lost both its purpose and legitimacy, particularly as former U.S. President Trump signals potential withdrawal of American support. These remarks came from Retired Rear Admiral Cem Gurdeniz, known for developing Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” maritime doctrine, during an interview with journalist Ceyda Karan for The Cradle.
Gurdeniz, whose Blue Homeland doctrine has been central to Turkey’s expanded maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean, including contested waters around Cyprus, provided a candid assessment of NATO’s current state and future prospects. He emphasized that the alliance now exists more in myth than as a functional military organization, pointing to its problematic expansion and destabilizing operations across various regions including the Balkans, Libya, and Ukraine.
The admiral’s comments come at a crucial time when European Union members are pursuing an ambitious €800 billion military enhancement program called “ReArm Europe.” However, Gurdeniz suggests this initiative would require significant domestic austerity measures and questions its viability without U.S. leadership, particularly under a potential Trump administration that may be reluctant to defend smaller NATO members.
In discussing global power dynamics, Gurdeniz described the current period as marking the second major breakdown of global security order since World War II, with the first occurring after the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1990. He argued that the U.S. is now deliberately scaling back its global presence, focusing instead on competition with China in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Turkish admiral highlighted several factors contributing to the western-led order’s decline, including failed U.S. military
interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, along with Russia’s military resurgence post-2008 and China’s growing economic and technological influence. He particularly emphasized how recent events, such as Israel’s actions in Gaza and Washington’s response, have eroded Western credibility among Global South nations.
Regarding Turkey’s position in this changing landscape, Gurdeniz advocated for what he terms “assertive non-alignment,” suggesting Turkey should maintain independence while engaging with various global powers based on its interests. He emphasized the importance of the Blue Homeland doctrine to Turkey’s geopolitical strategy, arguing that surrendering maritime claims would effectively landlocked the nation.
The admiral also addressed economic concerns, calling for Turkey to move away from dependence on foreign investment and European Union integration, instead advocating for a focus on domestic production, energy independence, and regional trade using local currencies. He criticized the European Union’s selective application of values, particularly regarding maritime disputes and regional conflicts.
Speaking on NATO’s future, Gurdeniz asserted that the alliance cannot maintain coherence without U.S. leadership, predicting that under Trump, America would be unlikely to defend smaller NATO members. He described the current global shift toward multipolarity as “real and irreversible,” pointing to the growing influence of organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, along with the increasing assertiveness of regional powers such as Iran, India, Brazil, and Turkey.
The admiral concluded that the emerging multipolar world order isn’t about creating a utopia but rather about enabling nations to make sovereign decisions based on their interests rather than external coercion. He emphasized the need for new international institutions that reflect this evolving reality, including alternative trade systems and security frameworks not dominated by Western powers.