TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

CONGRESS.GOV USA Relations between the United States and its NATO ally Turkey have fluctuated between close cooperation and significant disagreements. Turkey, along with other "global balancers" such as Saudi Arabia and India, seeks advantages in the global system amid intensifying great power competition. While Türkiye's NATO membership is crucial for its security and the European Union (EU) is Türkiye's largest trading partner and foreign investor, Türkiye is also reportedly aiming to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, People's Republic of China [PRC], South Africa) group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, led by the PRC and Russia. Over the past decade, the United States and Turkey have experienced sharp disagreements on several key issues, including the US partnership with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against ISIS, Türkiye's 2019 purchase of the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air defense system, and the US response (suspending F-35 fighter jet sales to Türkiye and imposing sanctions). Given the efforts of the U.S. and Türkiye to (1) strengthen NATO and Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and (2) work with a new, often pro-Turkish, Sunni Arab-led interim government in Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s fall in 2024, these U.S.-Turkey differences may have diminished to some extent. Members of Congress can consider legislative and oversight options, including how to address potential arms sales to Turkey and existing sanctions and legal conditions. For example, U.S. legislation currently prohibits the transfer of F-35s to Türkiye unless Türkiye possesses the Russian-made S-400 system (or other related equipment). President Donald Trump has reportedly indicated that he is open to selling F-35s to Türkiye if the S-400 is rendered inoperable, such as partially dismantling it or moving it to a U.S.-controlled base in Türkiye. Since 2022, with increased efforts to strengthen NATO and Ukraine, Congress has not blocked the progress of sales of upgraded F-16 fighter jets or advanced munitions to Türkiye, although some members have supported imposing restrictions or limitations on these proposed sales or other potential US-Turkey defense transactions. The sale of F-35s to Türkiye could diminish the relative military advantages that other countries (including Israel and Greece) that possess or aim to acquire F-35s may have. Developments in Syria are volatile and significant for US-Turkey relations. The Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) decision in May 2025 to end its more than forty-year-long armed struggle against the Turkish government potentially exacerbates some differences between Turkey and the PKK-linked SDF, posing a significant threat to Turkey.