President Donald Trump has announced that he will attend the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, a decision that is being seen as a significant gesture of goodwill towards Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders have developed a close relationship, with Trump frequently praising Erdogan as a “hell of a leader”.
Background
The relationship between the US and Turkey has been strained in recent years, particularly over Turkey’s purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. However, Trump has been keen to improve ties with Erdogan, and his decision to attend the NATO summit is seen as a key step in this process.
Trump’s attendance at the summit is also expected to be accompanied by a significant gift for Erdogan, with the US president hinting that he may announce a deal to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets. This would be a major breakthrough, as Turkey was previously barred from purchasing the jets due to its acquisition of the Russian missile defense systems.
Implications
The implications of Trump’s decision to attend the NATO summit and potentially sell F-35 jets to Turkey are significant. It could mark a major shift in the balance of power in the region, and could have significant implications for US relations with other NATO allies.
However, the move is not without controversy, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the potential risks of selling advanced military technology to a country that has been accused of human rights abuses and has close ties to Russia.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
