One of the unexpected developments at the NATO summit in Brussels on June 14, 2021, was Turkey’s announcement that it would be willing to take on the security of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul following the planned withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces by September 11—provided that it received adequate American diplomatic, logistical, and financial support. This potential mission was proposed in cooperation with Pakistan and Hungary. The proposal was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Joe Biden, marking their first in-person encounter since Biden’s inauguration in January.
While the full details of the Turkish proposal have not been made public, ongoing consultations between the American and Turkish sides on the matter are evident. Prompted by this announcement, the present analysis reviews Turkey’s prior involvement in Afghanistan and the underlying national interests driving it, and, based on the limited available information, outlines the key concerns raised regarding the potential extension of Turkey’s presence in Kabul.
