Mr. Stein made only passing reference to Greece. That is whistling past the graveyard. Greece's supporters in the United States will fight tooth and nail to prevent the sale from happening. They will probably lose but will exact conditions such as a Turkish public pledge with US guarantees not to use the F 35s against Greece (or any other NATO Ally) and to refrain from using the F35 in any violations of Greek space and Maritime boundaries.
These requirements Will be unacceptable to Erdogan and to the nationalist majority that now runs Turkish politics. It's going to be tough no matter what you do. There are probably a lot of other issues out there that will raise their heads, uglier otherwise, should it appear that the F35 sale has traction. A more Western-oriented Turkish government than Erdogan's could try and reach an agreement with Greece on its disputes which would lesson Greek opposition. Erdogan can't or won't, not clear which.
Mr. Stein made only passing reference to Greece. That is whistling past the graveyard. Greece's supporters in the United States will fight tooth and nail to prevent the sale from happening. They will probably lose but will exact conditions such as a Turkish public pledge with US guarantees not to use the F 35s against Greece (or any other NATO Ally) and to refrain from using the F35 in any violations of Greek space and Maritime boundaries.
These requirements Will be unacceptable to Erdogan and to the nationalist majority that now runs Turkish politics. It's going to be tough no matter what you do. There are probably a lot of other issues out there that will raise their heads, uglier otherwise, should it appear that the F35 sale has traction. A more Western-oriented Turkish government than Erdogan's could try and reach an agreement with Greece on its disputes which would lesson Greek opposition. Erdogan can't or won't, not clear which.