Erdogan's Turkey is no place for the F-35
President Donald Trump would be justified in striking a $700 million deal to sell jet aircraft engines to the Turkish air force. But he would make a serious strategic error if he sold F-35 stealth fighter jets to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government.
TL;DR
- Selling jet engines to Turkey is a reasonable move to support its military and foster NATO collaboration.
- Selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey is a strategic error due to its purchase of Russia's S-400 system.
- The S-400 system could allow Russia to gain intelligence on F-35 capabilities, jeopardizing U.S. and allied security.
- Erdogan's authoritarian rule, human rights record, and past actions demonstrate a disregard for U.S. values and interests.
- Congress should resist any F-35 sales to Turkey as long as it retains the S-400 system, prioritizing American security.