F-35 crisis: will Turkish-US defense cooperation continue?

Abstract

Although Turkish-American defense cooperation goes back many years, recent steps taken by Turkey have led to a serious crisis. Following the decision to with- draw Patriot air-defense batteries deployed in the south of Turkey by Germany and the United States after 2015, Ankara turned to Russia for the S-400 missile- defense system, citing national security. Turkey was then excluded from the F-35 program, in which it had been involved for years. Moreover, it was sanctioned by the White House. In this context, the background of Turkish-American defense cooperation, the F-35 pro- gram, the removal of Turkey from the program after the S-400 purchase decision, and the subsequent exposure to sanctions are discussed, and the sanctions analyzed for compliance with international law. It is emphasized that the revival of close defense cooperation between Turkey and the United States is essential for the future of the relationship, and that the parties should find an intermediate formula for compromise.