NATO defines its purpose "to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means" and says it "promotes democratic values." Turkey today makes a mockery of such values: Freedom House ranks Turkey as NATO's most undemocratic member.
Today Michael Rubin writes for the Middle East Forum website an argument for the remaining members - minus Turkey - taking steps to signal to Turkey it is no longer welcome in the organization. Apparently the charter contains no way to expel a member, but Rubin suggests ways to, shall we say, "attenuate" its role. And he concludes:
Rather than embrace wishful thinking and recognizing the impossibility of giving Turkey the boot, it is time to quarantine NATO's Trojan horse.
I've been wondering when someone would raise this issue. The remaining nations could possibly reform as NATO 2.0 and abandon the old organization, it would be complicated and difficult to do.
