Turkey's F-16 Sale and Sweden's NATO Bid: The Uncertain Connection

The $20 billion sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets to Turkey is not yet a done deal, despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sending the ratification protocols for Sweden's NATO accession to parliament. Key U.S. lawmakers, including the chairs and ranking members of the foreign affairs committees in both the Senate and House, have voiced concerns about issues unrelated to Sweden's NATO accession. These concerns include the use of weapons systems, human rights issues, and Turkey's actions in Syria and Azerbaijan. The Biden administration has yet to formally notify Congress of the F-16 sale, and at least two lawmakers have not committed to signing off on the deal.