Two Russian S-400 air defense systems, December 16, 2015 © AFP / Paul Gypteau
Reuters: Turkey says would retaliate against U.S. sanctions over Russian S-400s
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will “take reciprocal steps” if the United States imposes sanctions over its purchase of Russian S-400 defenses, the Turkish foreign minister said on Friday, marking the latest step toward a standoff between the NATO allies.
“If the United States takes any negative actions towards us, we will also take reciprocal steps,” Mevlut Cavusoglu, the minister, said when asked about possible U.S. sanctions in an interview broadcast on Turkish TV.
Ankara and Washington have sparred publicly for months over Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 missile systems, expected to be delivered as early as next month. Washington has said that would trigger U.S. sanctions and sent a letter warning that Ankara would be pulled out of the F-35 jet program.
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Update: We will take ‘reciprocal steps’: Turkish FM warns US against any penalties for buying S-400 (RT)
WNU Editor: What will Turkey do? Tell the U.S. to leave?
5 comments:
Yes Turkey will kick the US out of Adana and Incirlik bases. I don't think Turkey wants US forces near its borders anymore.
With friends/allies like this, who needs Turkey?
" WNU Editor: What will Turkey do? Tell the U.S. to leave? " The US should be so lucky.
The historically unnatural inclusion of Turkey into the *very* western NATO club has been obsolete for over 25 years.
Time to part ways and let the Turks descend into the rubble strewn caliphate they want so badly.
The US should have withdrawn its nuclear weapons from Incirlik long ago. There is no real reason they are needed anymore for anyone's defense. There is now only risk of the Turks seizing control of them.
So that leaves the Turkish bases' usefulness to launch attacks in the Middle East. While not ideal, the US could find other air bases in the eastern Mediterranean. The US used to have forces stationed at Iraklion Air Station in Crete. I don't know whether the US could move forces to the British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in Cyprus. The US already has bases in the Persian Gulf.
There would be political issues to resolve by moving US air force units to either Greece or Cyprus, but considering it would be done to counter Turkey, either country would likely be willing to negotiate something.
As Erdogan continues to change Turkey into an anti-democratic predatory power, the US and NATO will need to consider other ways to protect Greece and Cyprus from Turkish ambitions. While things have not yet gotten to the point where Turkey would be forced to leave NATO, I don't see any realistic scenario that would halt Turkey's slide into neo-Ottomanism. It's just a matter of timing in order to not undermine Turkish secularists and democrats (not always the same thing) prematurely, and leaving open the possibility to restore good relations if Turkey does somehow return to its previous tract.
Chris
Cyprus is the key to control of the eastern Med sea.
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