But Turkey can block something that the U.S. and most of the West dearly want: the expansion of NATO to include Sweden and Finland. As a member of NATO, Turkey has veto power over allowing new countries to join. Long neutral, Sweden and Finland began to see NATO protection as urgent following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago. Turkey’s NATO allies are in a difficult position: The government in Ankara has insisted that the two Nordic nations stop offering refuge to Kurdish rebels opposed to the Erdogan government. “What is important here is whether the administration will be decisive or not,” Cavusoglu told Turkish state TV broadcaster TRT.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 20, 2023 15:58 UTC