US Approves Transfer of F-16 Jets to Turkey, Easing NATO Expansion

The US will proceed with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, following Ankara's approval of Sweden's accession to NATO. Turkey had previously requested to purchase $20 billion worth of F-16 fighters and modernization kits. US President Joe Biden has expressed support for the transfer, and there are ongoing talks with Senator Bob Menendez, who had previously blocked the sale. While Turkish officials and the Biden administration deny any link between the F-16 sale and Sweden's NATO membership, some believe that the two issues were part of a deal. The timing of both the F-16 transfer and Sweden's NATO entry remains uncertain.