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NATO heads of state and government will meet in Ankara, Turkiye, on Tuesday, for a two-day summit of great importance amidst numerous regional crises and global challenges and transformations, particularly in the security and energy sectors.Ankara is hosting the summit 22 years after the last one held on its soil in 2004. Turkiye occupies a strategic importance from geographical, political, and defense perspectives, as well as being a key transit corridor for energy supplies.The summit is expected to discuss the alliance's defense spending and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It will reaffirm the commitment to the principle of collective defense and the bonds between member states, in addition to addressing the developments in the Middle East, global challenges related to security, freedom of navigation, energy supplies, and other regional and international issues.The summit is also expected to highlight Turkiye's prominent diplomatic role, its military contributions, the development of its defense industries, and its crisis management capabilities.In this regard, Assistant Professor at Qatar University, Dr. Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi, noted that Turkiye has emerged as one of the world's leading producers of defense equipment, military technologies, and security and intelligence systems. He explained that the country's defense budget reached approximately $22.8 billion in 2024, representing 2.09% of its GDP. When Turkiye meets NATO's newly agreed 5% defense spending target, its defense budget would rise to around $70 billion, an increase of approximately $47 billion.Al Etaibi added, in exclusive statements to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), that Turkiye's hosting of the summit carries significant political and strategic weight. It confirms that Ankara remains an indispensable player within the alliance, despite the disagreements that have strained its relations with some Western countries in recent years.He emphasized that Turkiye's ability to play a crucial role in mediation efforts has given it added value within the alliance. This is because Turkiye can communicate with parties that other NATO members cannot easily reach. Furthermore, hosting the summit reflects the alliance's recognition that European security is no longer separate from the security of the Middle East and the Black Sea.For his part, Professor of Critical Security Studies at the Doha Institute Dr. Muhannad Salloum affirmed the significant role that Turkiye has come to occupy within NATO. He pointed out that Ankara is an indispensable ally, both geographically and militarily, for NATO, despite its disagreements with some members of the alliance.For its part, the State of Qatar is keen to strengthen its relations with the NATO, as the two sides have distinguished relations within the framework of the "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,” which the State of Qatar joined on February 16, 2005. This includes the exchange of visits and political consultations, and participation in the study and training courses provided by NATO in the scientific and military fields.Relations between the State of Qatar and NATO witnessed significant development following the historic visit of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to NATO Headquarters in 2006, the first such visit by a head of state from a member country of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.In 2014, relations between the State of Qatar and NATO saw further progress, with the agreement to hold the NATO and Gulf Security Conference in Doha in December 2014 as part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. Additionally, the NATO Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation was held in Qatar in March 2015.

The recent visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Doha carries exceptional significance, as it comes at a highly sensitive regional time characterised by increasing challenges and critical developments, according to Turkish ambassador Dr Mustafa Goksu. The envoy said the visit witnessed high-level diplomatic engagement, as Fidan was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. He also held an official, expanded round of talks with HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as an important meeting with HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. Dr Goksu noted that the significance of the visit lies in conveying a firm message warning against the risks of an expanding conflict and reaffirming the mutual support for constructive mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation. He stressed the commitment of both Ankara and Doha to safeguarding regional stability and preventing the resumption of military operations, given their catastrophic repercussions for international peace and security and the global economy. The envoy also pointed to the full convergence of views between the two countries, emphasising that the statements made by Fidan — in which he underlined that Israeli expansionism represents “the primary problem” and the main threat to regional stability and security — reflect a deeply rooted and shared strategic position between Ankara and Doha. He added that the expansionist and aggressive policies pursued in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Syria have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and triggered waves of forced displacement that have turned millions of rightful inhabitants into refugees facing severe humanitarian conditions. Accordingly, Dr Goksu reiterated Turkiye’s full support for Qatar’s tireless efforts to defuse and resolve crises through diplomacy and effective mediation, noting that the two brotherly countries constitute an integrated pillar of stability and consistently support one another’s initiatives across international platforms. The envoy concluded his statement by affirming that these discussions reflect the strong political will of the leaderships of both countries to play an active and influential role in resolving regional crises, while embodying their mutual commitment to coordinating positions and enhancing joint co-operation. He stressed the steadfast position of both countries in supporting the resilience of the brotherly Palestinian people and adhering to the two-state solution as the sole strategic path toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. 

Bidding farewell to my parents at the Karachi airport; tears glistened in the eyes of my mother, sister, and brother as they gathered around me, their emotions concealed beneath a veil of composure. My dad was accompanying me for a month to settle me in Istanbul, he gave a reassuring hug to my mom as he silently conveyed, "Don't worry; I'll take care of her.” Mother handed me a box of her freshly baked chicken buns as if fearing the airlines might forget to feed me.I avoided a final wave to conceal tears rolling down my cheeks to spare my mother the pain, who I knew couldn't bear to see me cry.At 21, I was moving to Istanbul for college. Turkey is a popular destination for Pakistani college students, Turkey is the 3rd destination country in Asia for Pakistani students according to UNESCO and currently, Turkey is hosting 2,948 students from Pakistan according to Turkey's ministry of education.Being the youngest in my family, I had a close connection to my home and family. I felt pangs of sadness especially during festive times like Ramadan and Eid, which were always the joyous occasions in our household. We all used to sit on the "dastarkhwan," which is a beautiful tablecloth spread on the carpet, and happily savor the yummiest meals together while discussing what's new in our lives. However, amidst this sea of change, I was at peace knowing that there was one constant source of comfort that was accompanying me to this foreign land -my beloved cup of Pakistani chai. Packed within my luggage, a carefully sealed container of tea leaves journeyed with me to the far-off land.Chai has always been a part of my life, from my sister sneaking an extra teabag in my cup away from my dad's attention at the age of 4 to my first sip of chai away from home in Turkey, sitting on the bare floor between unpacked boxes, watching my dad assembling pieces of my bed, it all hit me with a wave of nostalgic feeling of familiarity and comfort. However, the unique taste of Pakistani tea is hard to replicate elsewhere; the perfect blend of cardamom, the right amount of tea leaves, the perfect ratio of milk to tea and just knowing how long to brew is an art to master. In foreign countries like Turkey, the scarcity of raw ingredients often makes it a luxury. In chai the main and most important component is the “chai patti” tea leaves, even though Turkey ranks third highest in tea consumption as per the Food and Agriculture Organization, the çay drank here is quite different than Pakistani chai, the tea leaves in Turkish cay is much lighter with a unique aroma, whereas Pakistani tea leaves are way more rich and intense.While Turkish çay is undoubtedly refreshing, it doesn’t quite match the satisfying hit of Pakistani chai. The craving for chai intensified when I went without it for two days which caused moodiness, and headaches, as Pakistani tea leaves are not readily accessible in this new place. However, the thought of tea leaves arriving soon brought a sense of calmness but my friends were the happiest because apparently I’m a real life Grinch without chai.In conversation with Shahana Khalid, 49, a Pakistani expat living in Istanbul Turkey, a housewife, and mother of two who accompanied her daughter who is enrolled in university, also expressed her concerns regarding the difficulty of having chai in a foreign country, “prices of the raw ingredients are ridiculously high compared to Pakistan, but the sacrifices are worth it”, Shahana sighed, gently shaking her head pondering about the cost she had to pay to hold onto something dear to her heart, as she continues to bargain the price of tea leaves and other spices from the shop owner. The shop, Memons Trading, a Pakistani market located in the touristy Fatih district, the air was filled with the scents of exotic spices that were transported back to the street of Karachi's spice bazaar. It was a small store with neatly organized shelves that showcased an array of diverse spices and goods. Imran Musa, 42, the shop owner, explained why the price for patti is so high, “The expense of covering their flight fare is added onto the product”.This isn't the first time Pakistanis are paying high prices for their chai drinking habit, as per the Guardian the Pakistani government spends about £500m annually from the central bank’s hard currency reserves for tea imports. It's gotten to be such a back-breaking issue that Pakistan's federal minister Ahsan Iqbal urged locals to cut back on its chai as Pakistan has had to resort to borrowing funds to meet its tea import expenses.Nonetheless, this never stopped a true Pakistani from savoring their chai, even in a foreign land. When I noticed my patti supplies are getting dangerously low, I asked my dad to send in 5kg of Pakistani tea leaves from Qatar with the help of his friend, I took a three-hour trip to the outskirts of Istanbul pick up the tea and on my ride back home in the bus, I joyfully carried a huge bag filled with tea leaves, attracting curious glances from fellow passengers.“People come from far away just to have a cup of tea,” Mustafa Ahsan, 32, a manager at Karachi Darbar restaurant based in Taksim, Istanbul said. Mustafa said that not just Pakistanis but people from Middle Eastern countries show up at the restaurant just for “karak chai”, even though the restaurant is famous for its Pakistani cuisine mainly chicken biryani and karahi the majority of people end their meal with the hot cup of chai.Just like Pakistan's street side “chai dhabas”, in Turkey, people gather in çayhane, for çay sessions.**media[368607]**At a çayhane in Kadikoy, the clinking of tea glasses fills the air as people sit across from one another at a tiny table, stirring sugar in their cay, alongside smoking cigarettes and chit chatting.“Seeing a kettle makes me think of my family, specifically about my close connection to my father,” says Ayse Gurel, a 22-year-old classmate. For her, tea is a comforting link to her childhood. “I drink 2 liters çay a day”, she says proudly.“I can't survive a single day without Pakistani chai,” I told Shahana after we left the store with a kilo of patti that she finally bought after bargaining with the shopkeeper for 10 minutes. She was excited to brew with the fresh leaves and sit down to watch her favorite Pakistani series with her daughter later that night. “I cannot do without it,” she said. “Chai for me is the comfort of familiarity in an alien land”