Interview: Why does Erdogan need F-35 jets?
Researcher of Israel-Turkey relations, Dr. Eli Carmon, explains the motives of the Turkish president seeking to purchase advanced American jets, as well as the concern in the West.
Assessment
An Israeli analyst of Turkey-Israel relations unpacks why Erdogan is pushing for an American F-35 deal and what concerns that raises in Western capitals. The stakes lie in how this request reflects Turkey's strategic calculations and what it signals about its alignment. Watch for whether the U.S. responds to the request and how that affects Turkey's military posture.