WASHINGTON — The United States is locked in a delicate dance with Turkey, one of its most problematic allies, that involves fighter jets, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Congress and, ultimately, the war in Ukraine.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Washington this week to meet with U.S. officials, wasted no time in putting front and center his nation's demand for U.S.-made F-16 warplanes.
"We will address significant topics about bilateral defense cooperation, particularly our F-16 request," Cavusoglu said ahead of the meetings, as Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken looked on, stone-faced. "This is not only for [Turkey] but also important for NATO and for United States as well, so we expect the approval in the line with our joint strategic interest."
