The new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has announced his intention to review Turkey's $20 billion Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet deal. Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat,
emphasized that various factors, beyond Sweden's NATO membership, would influence the decision to lift the longstanding hold that his predecessor had placed on the deal.
Cardin expressed the need to engage with the administration on multiple issues, as the decision encompasses a range of considerations. He mentioned that discussions with Turkish officials during a NATO ambassador's meeting had addressed Sweden's NATO accession, with the claim that it would be finalized in the coming month. However, he emphasized that other issues beyond NATO accession required attention in their ongoing discussions.
The previous committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, had blocked the arms sale for several months due to Turkey's objections to Sweden joining NATO, concerns about President Tayyip Erdogan's human rights record, and airspace overflights of neighboring Greece. Senate rules necessitated Menendez stepping down from his leadership role following felony bribery charges against him and his wife.
Leaders of the Senate and House foreign affairs committees routinely review significant foreign arms sales, raising questions and concerns related to human rights and diplomatic matters that can affect the progress of such deals.
Ankara had delayed ratifying Sweden's NATO membership, alleging that Stockholm had not taken sufficient action against individuals Turkey regarded as terrorists, particularly Kurdish members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In July, Erdogan announced plans to forward the ratification to parliament when it reconvenes in October, a decision that disappointed some members of Congress who felt he could have recalled parliament earlier to address Sweden's NATO membership.
Following the unsealing of Menendez's indictment, Erdogan remarked that Turkey should seize the opportunity created by the senator's legal issues to proceed with the purchase of fighter jets, noting that Menendez's absence could be advantageous.
While Finland's NATO membership was confirmed in April, Sweden's bid has encountered opposition from Turkey and Hungary. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate panel, has placed a hold on arms sales to Hungary due to this issue. Photo by FaceMePLS from The Hague, The Netherlands, Wikimedia commons.