Turkey has reportedly lifted long-standing objections that have kept Israel from participating as a partner in NATO activities, albeit non-military ones. Ankara has prevented Israel from participating in NATO activities since May 2010, and has reportedly been under extreme pressure from other NATO members, especially the United States, to reduce its intransigence. Israel’s security capabilities and its ability to project power in the Eastern Mediterranean have been cited as critical to the alliance.

[Photo: US Air Force / Wiki Commons]