Munich Security Report 2025: Türkiye’s Global Standing Gains Favorability
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The 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC) report has underscored Türkiye’s rising geopolitical influence while noting a shift in Western public perception, with an increasing number of people viewing the country as an ally.
Released ahead of the 61st MSC, scheduled for February 14, the report highlights a trend toward improved perceptions of Türkiye in key Western nations, including Germany, the U.K., France, and Italy.
The U.K. exhibited the most significant positive shift, with the percentage of respondents considering Türkiye an ally rising from 38% in 2023 to 47% in 2024. Meanwhile, in Germany, public sentiment also saw an improvement—while 36% of respondents viewed Türkiye as a threat in 2023, this figure fell to 31.2% by late 2024, with those considering Türkiye an ally increasing to 32.8%.
The report also found that Türkiye enjoys stronger favorability in non-NATO nations, with BRICS countries—China, Brazil, India, and South Africa—expressing higher levels of partnership sentiment compared to NATO members. However, China was an exception, where the perception of Türkiye as a threat rose by 5.6 percentage points to 25.5% in 2024.
Multipolarity and Türkiye’s Role as a Regional Power
The 151-page MSC report, titled “Multipolarity,” explores the changing global order, arguing that the unipolar dominance of the United States is fading and that liberalism faces growing ideological challenges. The study identifies multiple rising powers—including the U.S., China, Russia, India, Brazil, and South Africa—competing for influence in an increasingly fragmented world.
Türkiye is classified as a “regional power” rather than a global one, alongside countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The report emphasizes that while these nations may not hold superpower status, they exert considerable regional and, at times, global influence.
Public perception of global power dynamics varies significantly by region. In Germany, France, the U.K., and Italy, the majority still see the United States as the dominant superpower. However, in non-G7 nations, China, Russia, and India are more frequently recognized as global powers.
Turkish Public Opinion on Foreign Policy
The report also presents findings on Turkish public sentiment regarding foreign policy. A survey conducted within Türkiye revealed that 60% of respondents believe the country should prioritize bilateral relations over multilateral initiatives and international organizations, signaling a preference for independent foreign policy strategies.
