US Signals Possible F-35 Return for Turkey, Israel Objects
The United States has indicated a willingness to allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 stealth jet program, a decision that has faced backlash from Israel. Turkey was expelled from the initiative in 2019 due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 air-defense systems. Asli Aydintasbas, who leads the Turkey project at the Brookings Institution, characterized the evolving relationship between Washington and Ankara as "a strategic reset in spirit but not yet in practical terms." She pointed out that President Donald Trump values his rapport with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aiming for Turkey to assume a pivotal role in NATO and policies concerning Europe and the Middle East. Aydintasbas emphasized that while this marks Erdogan's closest approach to a reset with Washington after years of conflict, "not full normalization yet" exists, as congressional approval is still uncertain.
Key facts
- Turkey was ejected from the F-35 program in 2019 after buying Russian air-defense systems.
- The US has signaled a possible return for Turkey to the F-35 program.
- Israel is unhappy with the potential return.
- Asli Aydintasbas is director of the Turkey project at the Brookings Institution.
- The understanding is a 'strategic reset in spirit but not yet in practical terms.'
- President Trump values his relationship with Erdogan.
- Turkey is seen as a central player in NATO, Europe, and Middle East policies.
- Congressional approval is still a hurdle for full normalisation.
Entities
Institutions
- Brookings Institution
- NATO
- US Congress
- Turkish Presidency
Locations
- United States
- Turkey
- Israel
- Washington
- Ankara
- Europe
- Middle East