Middle Powers Eye Independence From Rogue U.S. at Antalya Forum

TL;DR

Antalya Forum Wraps: Middle powers at Turkey's Antalya Diplomacy Forum discuss reduced reliance on a disruptive U.S. amid regional crises.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)
Fidan Closing Quote: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said states must "own regional issues" rather than wait for a savior.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)
Trump Policy Shift: U.S. actions like NATO threats and U.S.-Israeli war on Iran push calls for regional self-reliance.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)

The story at a glance

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, which ended Sunday after three days in Turkey's Mediterranean resort town, officials from middle powers like Turkey voiced frustration with U.S. unpredictability under President Trump's second term. Key figures including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the need for regional cooperation over dependence on global powers. The piece, reported by Ben Hubbard from the event, reflects post-forum analysis as U.S. moves like threatening NATO withdrawal and joining Israel in war against Iran disrupt alliances. Erdogan had called the global system a "moral and existential crisis."[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)

Key points

Forum drew thousands from over 150 countries, including 23 heads of state, 50 ministers, under the theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties."[[2]](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/antalya-diplomacy-forum-2026-kicks-off-in-turkiye/3908871)[[3]](https://www.trtworld.com/article/b06d37a087e3)
Erdogan spoke of a global "moral and existential crisis," criticizing ineffective human rights mechanisms, especially regarding Gaza.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)[[4]](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/president-erdogan-says-global-order-on-dangerous-threshold-calls-for-diplomacy-stability/3909680)
U.S. seen as coercive and erratic: bashing UN, NATO exit threats after Europeans declined Strait of Hormuz aid, amid U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)[[5]](https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-says-us-withdrawal-european-security-architecture-could-be-destructive-2026-04-18)
Fidan warned partial U.S. pullback from European security would be destructive without coordination.[[5]](https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-says-us-withdrawal-european-security-architecture-could-be-destructive-2026-04-18)
Repeated calls for middle powers to handle own regions, less reliance on superpowers like U.S.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)
Side events included foreign ministers' meetings on Balkans, Gaza, Turkic states, and Türkiye-Egypt-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia.[[6]](https://www.mfa.gov.tr/v-antalya-diplomasi-forumu-17-19-nisan-2026-antalya-.en.mfa)

Details and context

The fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, hosted by Turkey's Foreign Ministry under Erdogan's auspices, ran April 17-19 and positioned Turkey as a mediation hub amid global tensions. Discussions focused on uncertainties from U.S. policy shifts, including Trump's return, which has upended alliances—NATO strained after Europe refused ships for Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli-Iran conflict, leading to U.S. threats.[[5]](https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-says-us-withdrawal-european-security-architecture-could-be-destructive-2026-04-18)

Turkish leaders framed U.S. as essential yet unreliable, abandoning human rights promotion and democracy pushes. Fidan stressed regional ownership at close; Erdogan decried selective justice in Gaza as symptom of broader failure.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)

No full article text available due to paywall, but previews and matching coverage from Anadolu Agency, Reuters confirm themes: pushback against U.S. "chaos," emphasis on multipolar diplomacy.[[7]](https://www.mfa.gov.tr/v-antalya-diplomasi-forumu--17-19-nisan-2026--antalya.en.mfa)[[5]](https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-says-us-withdrawal-european-security-architecture-could-be-destructive-2026-04-18)

Key quotes

“If this region continues to wait for a savior, in the end it is going to continue facing these problems until eternity,” states must “own regional issues.” — Hakan Fidan, at closing news conference.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)
Global system in “a moral and existential crisis.” — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, opening speech.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/20/world/middleeast/turkey-diplomacy-antalya.html)

Why it matters

U.S. dominance wanes as middle powers seek alternatives, risking fragmented alliances and heightened regional conflicts like Iran war escalation. For diplomats and governments in Europe, Middle East, it signals need to diversify partnerships beyond Washington amid NATO strains. Watch U.S.-Iran ceasefire expiry this week and NATO's July Ankara summit for coordination signals, though outcomes remain uncertain.[[8]](https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/turkish-fm-optimistic-that-us-iran-ceasefire-will-be-extended-to-allow-talks)[[9]](https://www.reuters.com/world/nato)