By Admin 
NATO summit was going on in Ankara, the capital of Turkey on 7 July 2026. US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were sitting together. Trump made an announcement that shook the politics of the entire Middle East, ‘We are considering selling F-35 fighter planes to Turkey.’ Israel became alert after hearing this announcement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately protested, saying that selling the F-35 would upset the balance of power in the Middle East. This is not just a purchase and sale of weapons. This is a matter related to Middle East politics, American strategy and Israel’s security…
Why is the F-35 fighter jet so special?
F-35 is one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. It is equipped with stealth technology (technology to avoid radar), that is, enemy radar cannot detect it easily. This is a fifth generation fighter aircraft, which America has sold only to its closest allies.
Till now only Israel had F-35 in the Middle East. Israel has operated them for many years and has formed many squadrons. This gives Israel the biggest advantage in air power in the Middle East.
Why was Turkey not getting F-35?
Turkey was originally part of the F-35 program and had also signed an agreement to purchase F-35s from the US. But in 2019, Turkey purchased S-400 missile defense system from Russia. America feared that if Turkey had both S-400 and F-35, then Russia might know the secret technology of F-35.
In 2020, America expelled Turkey from the F-35 program and imposed sanctions on it.
Now why did America suddenly change its strategy?
According to experts, Trump’s thinking has changed. They want to bring Turkey back to the center of the Western system. His argument is, ‘I don’t want to ban friends.’
In Trump’s view, Turkey is a major force in NATO. Turkey controls the route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It has influence in Syria, knows Iran well and has one of the largest armies in NATO. Trump feels that it is in America’s interest to keep Turkey in the Western camp.
Trump also said, ‘Turkey has been more loyal than other countries in many matters. He did not support Iran during the Iran-America war.
Why is Israel so worried about this matter?
For Israel this matter is related to existence. Israel considers its air superiority in the Middle East to be the backbone of its security. Netanyahu clearly said, ‘Giving F-35 to Turkey will upset the balance of power in the Middle East.’ He told Trump, ‘This will not make Turkey a friend of America.’
Turkey is not a typical Western ally for Israel. Turkish:
- Provides political support to Hamas.
- Constantly criticizes Israel’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
- Disputes with Greece and Cyprus.
- Wants to increase its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
So will Trump make this deal by angering ‘Bibi’?
The deal between America and Turkey is not so easy. Despite Trump’s approval, US law and Congress remain major obstacles.
- CAATSA Law: In 2020, the US Congress passed a law that F-35 cannot be sold to Turkey as long as it has the S-400 system.
- Congress’s opposition: 18 American lawmakers wrote a joint letter saying that in the current circumstances, selling F-35 to Turkey would be a violation of American law.
- Technical Threat: Congress fears that if S-400 and F-35 are together, Russia may know the radar technology of F-35.
There are differences within the White House also. Vice President JD Vance said the sale of the F-35 would require Congressional approval and Turkey meeting US conditions.