Trump-Erdogan friendship encounters challenge over Israel and F-35 contract: Article suggests
In a significant shift in military relations, Britain has agreed to sell 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, marking a strategic move away from Turkey's reliance on the F-35 jets from the United States. This preliminary deal, signed in 2025, signifies a strengthening of NATO-related defense capabilities as Turkey seeks to expand cooperation with European partners.
The decision to purchase Typhoon jets comes amid ongoing issues with the U.S. over Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems, which led to Turkey's removal from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019. The U.S. has imposed CAATSA sanctions on Turkey due to concerns that the S-400 system poses a security risk to the stealth technology of the F-35 jets.
Despite indications from U.S. officials about the possibility of Turkey re-entering the F-35 program if it resolves the S-400 dispute and agrees to procure U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, no final agreement or lifting of sanctions has been reached so far.
Meanwhile, Turkey's relationship with the U.S. is being tested by two major issues. Firstly, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense has received a request for military support from Syria's government, which could potentially lead to a complex situation given the ongoing conflict in the region. Secondly, there are concerns about reconciling Turkey's Syria policy with Israeli military actions, adding another layer of complexity to the U.S.-Turkey relationship.
In a separate development, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has established a consortium with Syria's neighboring countries to combat Daesh. This move has been communicated to the U.S., indicating that the fight against Daesh will be conducted through this consortium.
The U.S.-Turkey relationship is also affected by the ongoing tension between Turkey and Israel. Aaron Stein, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, has cautioned that Trump and Erdogan don't seem to get many deals done, and the Turkish-Israeli tensions are a significant concern in the relationship, with the possibility of direct clashes between the two militaries.
As the year draws to a close, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara has suggested that the F-35 and CAATSA issues could potentially be resolved by year-end. Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkey research program at the Washington Institute, believes that Trump's chemistry with Erdogan is strong, and this could play a role in resolving these issues. However, until a resolution is reached, Turkey's F-35 purchase remains stalled, and Turkey is actively pursuing Eurofighter Typhoons from Europe and continuing its own domestic fighter jet development as interim and longer-term solutions for its air defense needs.
- The Turkish government, in a strategic move, has agreed to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Britain, a decision that signals a strengthening of NATO-related defense capabilities.
- The preliminary deal, signed in 2025, comes after Turkey's removal from the U.S.-led F-35 program due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems, a move that led to CAATSA sanctions.
- Turkey's relationship with the U.S. is further complicated by ongoing issues, with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense having received a request for military support from Syria's government.
- The Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has established a consortium with Syria's neighboring countries to combat Daesh, a move that has been communicated to the U.S.
- Despite the potential for improved relations, the Turkish-Israeli tensions remain a significant concern, with the possibility of direct clashes between the two militaries.
- The U.S.-Turkey relationship is also affected by the ongoing political tensions, with some analysts suggesting that a resolution to the F-35 and CAATSA issues could potentially be reached by year-end.
- As Turkey pursues Eurofighter Typhoons from Europe, it is also continuing its own domestic fighter jet development as interim and longer-term solutions for its air defense needs.
- In the world of politics and policy-and-legislation, the general news is filled with the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Syria, and the role of Turkey in these matters continues to be a topic of interest.
- In the realm of sports, particularly football, Turkish teams are competing in the European leagues, and the Premier League, adding another layer to the international relations between Turkey and other European countries.
