Sweden's NATO Membership Hangs in the Balance Amidst Three-Way Standoff

Sweden's bid to join NATO is stuck between the uncompromising positions of Turkey, Sweden, and the US. Ankara opposes Sweden's membership, claiming that the country is harboring members, recruiters, and fundraisers of terror groups. The US Congress has made Turkey's approval of Sweden's bid a condition for the sale of F-16s. The Swedish side finds Turkey's expectations impossible to meet, and the Turkish side finds the precondition unacceptable. The chances of Sweden joining the alliance before the annual summit are dim.