At Turkey's annual diplomacy forum in Antalya, officials from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia grappled with how to respond to a United States that many see as increasingly unpredictable. Although the United States was rarely the formal subject of panels, discussions frequently centered on its shifting foreign policy under President Donald Trump and the regional turmoil stemming from the war in Iran launched with Israel.

Turkey and other so called middle powers used the gathering to promote greater regional cooperation, arguing that countries should rely less on global heavyweights and instead work together to manage their own security challenges. Turkey's foreign minister urged nations to 'own regional issues,' while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the existing global order and called for reforms to international institutions.

Frustration with Washington was widespread, particularly among countries affected by the Iran conflict. Even so, experts noted that the United States remains indispensable to many regional actors despite being viewed as unreliable and coercive. Meetings on the sidelines, including talks among Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan, highlighted tentative steps toward stronger regional partnerships, though analysts cautioned such efforts are unlikely to fully replace the United States' influence.