United States Department of State
United States Department of StateJan 25
Biden Urges Congress to Quickly Approve F-16 Sale to Turkey
The Facts
Following the Turkish Parliament's vote to allow Sweden into NATO on Tuesday, US Pres. Joe Biden on Wednesday wrote a letter to the top Democrats and Republicans of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee urging them to approve the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.
The NATO accession approval, which Turkey delayed for 20 months, must now be signed by Turkish Pres. Tayyip Erdogan and be published in the country's Official Gazette. Washington must then be sent the instrument of accession, and US ambassador to Turkey, former Republican Senator Jeff Flake, said "Yes" when asked if this process would be completed "within days."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US State Department has been prepared to send Turkey the fighter jets it needs as Ankara has worked to fulfill its end of the bargain. While Hungary is still slightly further behind in its voting process, America must fulfill its promise to Ankara in return for geostrategic cooperation. NATO consists of partners, which is why Washington is cooperating with Turkey and respecting the processes of other member states.
Establishment-critical narrative
Even in the eyes of the Washington establishment, sending Turkey billions of dollars worth of weapons is not helping America's cause. While Turkey is justified in questioning Israel's recent actions and bringing Finland and Sweden into NATO, it has also been a safe haven for Hamas and the Islamic State group as well as hints of Russian collaboration. If Washington thinks sending weapons to Turkey gives the US leverage, it's sorely mistaken.
Nerd narrative
There is a 99% chance that Sweden will join NATO before 2025, according to Metaculus community prediction.
