| Mister Tibbles | 16 Mar 2026 4:18 p.m. PST |
I've been thinking about this since Iran recently sent missiles (or drones?) into Turkey. Why didn't that trigger Article 5? Am I missing something here? |
 John the OFM  | 16 Mar 2026 4:33 p.m. PST |
Turkey probably has to request it first.
And that would imply allying itself with Israel. |
| noggin2nog | 16 Mar 2026 4:37 p.m. PST |
"How is Article 5 triggered?
The North Atlantic Treaty does not prescribe a specific procedure to trigger Allies' mutual assistance obligation under Article 5. The obligation to assist an Ally "forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties" arises when two conditions are met: an Ally has sustained an ‘armed attack' as described above (the assessment of which is to be conducted in good faith by all Allies, whether individually or collectively), and
the attacked Ally requests or consents to collective action under Article 5. An attacked Ally may choose not to seek assistance under Article 5, and instead address the situation through other avenues." link |
 Legion 4 | 16 Mar 2026 5:12 p.m. PST |
Yes, if the Turks want NATO's help … they basically have to request it. After they may have been attacked. However, the Turks albeit in NATO they have become less secular over the past few years. Not really sure how the Sunni Turks feel about the Shia of Iran. However, I believe the Turks did support Hamas. |
| John the OFM | 16 Mar 2026 8:00 p.m. PST |
From what I've read, 🙄 the 3 missiles never made it to Turkey… So….🙄 |
 McKinstry  | 17 Mar 2026 9:30 a.m. PST |
I think Turkey would need to invoke Article 5 and the fact that other NATO members did take out those missiles have essentially made the matter moot and allowed Erdogan to avoid an uncomfortable decision. |
| John the OFM | 17 Mar 2026 11:50 a.m. PST |
If Israel and Iran had been "bickering" at an A++ level for a while, Turkey was bickering at a B- level. They used to be "friendly", but that has been deteriorating.
Yes, Erdogan has been quietly saying, through obscure channels, "Thanks for that, but I really don't want to get involved." |
 ochoin | 17 Mar 2026 12:19 p.m. PST |
Pres. Trump:
"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer "need," or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!" I'm sure the 'boys will be home by Christmas'. Which Christmas? |
| John the OFM | 17 Mar 2026 3:14 p.m. PST |
My lips are sealed, regarding our beloved POTUS. I'm having my DH suite redecorated. |
| OSCS74 | 17 Mar 2026 5:50 p.m. PST |
ochoin, He never mentioned Japan, Australia or South Korea. Fact Check lair, lair pants on fire. |
| Tango01 | 17 Mar 2026 5:54 p.m. PST |
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| Legion 4 | 17 Mar 2026 6:05 p.m. PST |
OFM +1 (You finally going to get that hot tub you've talking about?)
OSCS +1
AFAIK seems some allies even some in NATO decided to sit this one out … Some even said so directly in the media. But really as it turns out don't really need them at this time. In reality we have the IDF with us. They seem to be the top guns in the area. And probably many other areas. They always prep for war. Not let their military collect the peace dividend and go to seed. But some have said they are working on getting their militaries back to combat ready. So that is a positive move … But let there be no doubt every nation can choose its own direction. They have that right … |
