Will Turkey sacrifice US relations and the F-35 for Russian-made air defence?

Source:Australian Strategic Policy Institute Date:26Jun2019

Ankara’s current disposition towards Moscow reflects a marriage of convenience rather than the consolidation of a durable partnership. The US, in developing its response to Turkey’s S-400 purchase, needs to recognise that this issue is a symptom and not the cause of the fundamental problems at the heart of Turkey’s alliance with the US and NATO. Washington must decide whether Ankara is a reliable partner and balance that assessment against the cost of losing Turkey as a key ally in the Middle East. More effective use of diplomacy and defence assistance may help the US preserve its alliance with Turkey, but the window of opportunity to do so will soon close.