Erdogan-'We Are Waiting' On US Congress For F-16 Approval

Wires reporting comments from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to reporters in Istanbul. A day after he signed off on the Grand National Assembly's ratification of Sweden's NATO bid, he states that "We are waiting" on the next move from the United States regarding Turkey's efforts to purchase F-16 fighter jets. Erdogan stated that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is working in close coordination with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on the issue.

• Following Turkey's ratification, the White House has moved swiftly to push for congressional approval of the USD20bn sale of the jets and modification equipment to Turkey. On 24 Jan, President Joe Biden sent a letter to the ranking members of the House and Senate Foreign Relations/Affairs committees, urging their approval.
• Partisan divisions on Capitol Hill could hold this process up. While only the chair and ranking member of each committee need to approve the sales before the State Dep't can give the go-ahead, the green light is not assured.
• There also remain concerns among some US lawmakers about the intended use of the jets. Although Turkey is a NATO partner, their potential use against Kurdish militias in Syria - who are designated as terrorists by Ankara but have been aligned with the US in the fight against Islamic State - has raised objections for some lawmakers.
• Further delays could result in a less cooperative stance from Turkey on other NATO and MENA-security related issues for the US.