In troubled US-Turkey relations, F-16 deal seen as path for dialogue

US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Sunday to discuss an F-16 fighter jet purchase, which analysts see as an avenue for “positive” dialogue amid bilateral tensions.
US President Joe Biden (L) greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
US President Joe Biden (L) greets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) as French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) talks to World Trade Organization President Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (R) during a group photo of world leaders at the La Nuvola conference center for the G20 summit on Oct. 30, 2021, in Rome, Italy. - Kirsty Wigglesworth - Pool/Getty Images
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Diego Cupolo
@diegocupolo

ISTANBUL — Following several scheduling changes, US President Joe Biden and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome Sunday to discuss the nations’ troubled tensions.

High on Erdogan’s agenda was a request to purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets and about 80 modernization kits to upgrade Turkey’s aging fleet. Erdogan said Sunday Biden was receptive in discussions regarding the jet deal and they talked in a “positive atmosphere.”

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