The difficult equation of upgrading the Turkish fleet with F16s – The Greek-Turkish dispute intensifies ahead of the elections – The strong wall that the Senator is building Menendez, who appears ready to be pushed to extremes if necessary
On a complex diplomatic issuethe dispute between Greece and Turkey over the weapons programs from the United States of America tends to develop. The Biden administration found itself in the middle of a political prestige battle that is widening and intensifying in the run-up to the elections in the two countries.
Yesterday Greece received in a festive atmosphere another state-of-the-art and upgraded F16 VIPER .Something that particularly upset the Turkish government, which is trying to convince its potential voters that it is only a matter of time before the deal with the US to upgrade its own fleet is closed. And indeed at the level of the American government there is the intention for an agreement that will provide for the purchase of new ones on the one hand and on the other hand the modernization of the fighters that have been flying for years under the Turkish flag.
The White House considers that m’ this Mesovezian solution “buys the trouble” of not providing Ankara with the F35s, which Athens will also receive over time. Although Turkey wants them equally, in reality it cannot happen while the CAATSA sanctions, imposed after the neighbor's acquisition of the S400s, are in place.
Despite its willingness Biden administration, the road to Turkey is paved with thorns. The issue has to go through the US Congress and the mound raised by Robert Menendez.The Senator appears determined to push the situation to the limit, even activating the veto he has in his quiver under the law. He is willing to do so, despite the fact that this may even cause a political crisis in his country.
The truth is that Menendez's positions on the subject find ground in the Congress, since many members of which agree that a blank check should not be given to Turkey. Hence the context in which it operates, according to which there should be terms and conditions for the prohibition of overflights over Greece with the fighters in question. This aspect particularly irritates the Erdogan government, which thus betrays its intentions.
Despite grumbling from US officials, the US Senator calls on his country's government to use the his attitude as a pressure lever for Turkey. He indicated this through the interview he gave to Mega Greece, even adding that Turkey could behave differently.
Menendez and… logic says something very simple. The way to purchase and upgrade F16 from Turkey should be opened only if there is a practical commitment that the country will respect international law and good neighborly relations. If the region's agitator abandons aggressive rhetoric and violations against Greece and Cyprus, if he is forced to agree that he will not be able to instrumentalize the fighters to reinforce his provocations. If limited to their defensive use. Simple.
