'Behind all the public bluster, ErdoganтАЩs most important ask has long been clear: He needs the United States to sell him F-16s. Turkey made a strategic blunder in 2017 by purchasing S-400 missile systems from Russia only to be slapped with U.S. sanctions. Now that Ankara desperately needs to modernize its air force fleet, it has made a formal request to buy new F-16s and upgrade 80 planes in its existing inventory.'
'The Biden administration has long been in favor of the transaction, but Congress had been blocking it. For many lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Turkey has been an тАЬunfaithful ally,тАЭ and congressional leaders have expressed reservations about TurkeyтАЩs democratic backsliding and its threatening tone toward its neighbors, including Greece. According to my sources, the White House made headway over the weekend in convincing congressional leaders тАФ in particular, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) тАФ that it is better to keep Turkey inside the NATO tent by going ahead with the sale.'
'On Sunday, Erdogan pointedly thanked Biden for his efforts in trying to secure the F-16s. On Monday afternoon, after NATO Secretary General Jens StoltenbergтАЩs announcement that Turkey would ratify SwedenтАЩs entry into NATO, BidenтАЩs official statement read тАЬI stand ready to work with President Erdogan and [Turkey] on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area.тАЭ The F-16s might not come immediately, but itтАЩs likely that strong assurances were given that they would eventually be delivered.'
'Erdogan also might have gotten some concessions from Europe. As part of the announcement, Sweden agreed to support expanding the E.U.тАЩs free-trade arrangement with Turkey. With Washington lobbying behind the scenes, I understand that other E.U. members are open to negotiations.'
'The Sweden deal potentially opens the possibility of Turkey further aligning itself on Ukraine, and on pushing back against Russia in Syria and the Black Sea. ThatтАЩs no small thing, and the Biden administration should feel justifiably proud for achieving this much.'
'Biden and Erdogan are set to meet face to face in Vilnius, and Erdogan might be invited to the White House later this year. If both Turkey and the West play their cards right, a wider reset could be in the offing.'
Until we know for sure, which I think will be very soon:, Biden's comment on Sunday: тАЬTurkey is looking for modernization of F-16 aircraft. And (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos) Mitsotakis in Greece is also looking for some help,тАЭ Biden said. тАЬAnd so, what IтАЩm trying to, quite frankly, put together is a little bit of a consortium here, where weтАЩre strengthening NATO in terms of military capacity of both Greece as well as Turkey, and allow Sweden to come in. But itтАЩs in play. ItтАЩs not done.тАЭ (CNN)
We'll see. Stoltenberg made the announcement after meeting with Erdogan. Biden seemed willing to make the deal.
Don't you think Putin's pants have been soiled?
We'll certainly find out.
OPINION, WAPO
By Asli Aydintasbas
Updated July 10, 2023 at 7:46 p.m. EDT
'Behind all the public bluster, ErdoganтАЩs most important ask has long been clear: He needs the United States to sell him F-16s. Turkey made a strategic blunder in 2017 by purchasing S-400 missile systems from Russia only to be slapped with U.S. sanctions. Now that Ankara desperately needs to modernize its air force fleet, it has made a formal request to buy new F-16s and upgrade 80 planes in its existing inventory.'
'The Biden administration has long been in favor of the transaction, but Congress had been blocking it. For many lawmakers on Capitol Hill, Turkey has been an тАЬunfaithful ally,тАЭ and congressional leaders have expressed reservations about TurkeyтАЩs democratic backsliding and its threatening tone toward its neighbors, including Greece. According to my sources, the White House made headway over the weekend in convincing congressional leaders тАФ in particular, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) тАФ that it is better to keep Turkey inside the NATO tent by going ahead with the sale.'
'On Sunday, Erdogan pointedly thanked Biden for his efforts in trying to secure the F-16s. On Monday afternoon, after NATO Secretary General Jens StoltenbergтАЩs announcement that Turkey would ratify SwedenтАЩs entry into NATO, BidenтАЩs official statement read тАЬI stand ready to work with President Erdogan and [Turkey] on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area.тАЭ The F-16s might not come immediately, but itтАЩs likely that strong assurances were given that they would eventually be delivered.'
'Erdogan also might have gotten some concessions from Europe. As part of the announcement, Sweden agreed to support expanding the E.U.тАЩs free-trade arrangement with Turkey. With Washington lobbying behind the scenes, I understand that other E.U. members are open to negotiations.'
'The Sweden deal potentially opens the possibility of Turkey further aligning itself on Ukraine, and on pushing back against Russia in Syria and the Black Sea. ThatтАЩs no small thing, and the Biden administration should feel justifiably proud for achieving this much.'
'Biden and Erdogan are set to meet face to face in Vilnius, and Erdogan might be invited to the White House later this year. If both Turkey and the West play their cards right, a wider reset could be in the offing.'
Biden's diplomatic moves are pure genius. Unfortunately too many Americans have as much understanding of diplomacy as Turd, er, I mean Trump, does.
Absolutely, so impressed with Biden's brilliant strategy.
I hope you can straighten out your t-o-n-g-u-e or is it something else?
Until we know for sure, which I think will be very soon:, Biden's comment on Sunday: тАЬTurkey is looking for modernization of F-16 aircraft. And (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos) Mitsotakis in Greece is also looking for some help,тАЭ Biden said. тАЬAnd so, what IтАЩm trying to, quite frankly, put together is a little bit of a consortium here, where weтАЩre strengthening NATO in terms of military capacity of both Greece as well as Turkey, and allow Sweden to come in. But itтАЩs in play. ItтАЩs not done.тАЭ (CNN)
Right - what is done for Turkey has to be done for Greece.