NATO Summit Debrief: What Comes Next After Ankara?

Ambassador Julianne Smith, General Christopher Cavoli, and Leslie Vinjamuri analyze the outcomes of this summer's NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, depart a photo opportunity at the State Department on April 8, 2026.
Jul
13
Rod Lamkey / AP
Speakers
Christopher Cavoli
Julianne Smith
Leslie Vinjamuri
Date and Time
Doors Open: 10:45 am
Location
YouTube
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About This Event

As NATO leaders prepare to gather in Ankara, Turkey for a pivotal summit, the alliance is facing mounting pressure to respond to an increasingly complex security landscape. Between Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, growing debates over defense spending and burden sharing, and new threats posed by emerging technologies, the challenges seem endless. Join former US Ambassador to NATO and Council Distinguished Nonresident Fellow for Defense and Security Julianne Smith and 20th Supreme Allied Commander Europe and 19th Commander of the European Forces General Christopher Cavoli in a virtual conversation with Leslie Vinjamuri as they discuss the summit’s outcomes, NATO’s future strategic priorities, and the alliance's role in shaping global security in an era of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

About the Speakers
20th Supreme Allied Commander Europe and 19th Commander, United States European Command
General Christopher Cavoli
General Chirstopher Cavoli retired as the 19th Commander, US European Command and the 20th Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Cavoli previously served as Commander of the consolidated US Army Europe and Africa and the commander of US Army Europe. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment; 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division; 7th Army Training Command; and 25th Infantry Division.
General Christopher Cavoli
Former US Permanent Representative to NATO; Distinguished Nonresident Fellow, Defense and Security, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Headshot for Julianne Smith
Ambassador Julianne Smith, former US permanent representative to NATO, is a national security expert with over two decades of experience in US and European defense policy and transatlantic relations. She's held leadership positions at the White House, the Department of Defense, and the Department of State. Smith joined the Council in 2025 as distinguished nonresident fellow, defense and security.
Headshot for Julianne Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot
Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She is Professor of Practice in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London.
Leslie Vinjamuri headshot

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