air force

President Trump has signaled that he may be open to letting Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet program, according to Axios. The possibility would mark a major change in U.S. defense policy after Turkey was removed from the program in 2019.

Turkey’s exclusion came after Ankara bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, a move that triggered deep concerns in Washington and led to a break in the F-35 partnership. Any renewed discussion of sales would therefore carry both military and diplomatic weight.

For Turkish Americans, the issue matters because it sits at the center of the U.S.-Turkey relationship. A change in policy could signal a warmer period in bilateral ties, but it would also likely face strong scrutiny from lawmakers and security analysts.

The outcome is still uncertain, but the fact that the White House is even entertaining the idea makes this one of the most important Turkey-related developments tied to Trump’s visit. It could shape future cooperation between the two NATO allies.

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