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Menendez Still Objects to U.S. Sale of F-16 Jets to Turkey
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez said on Wednesday that he had not changed his hold on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
In recent years, the U.S. relations with Turkey have become strained, and Menendez is one of several influential Congress members who has voiced serious concerns about Turkey's human rights record and its behavior toward its neighbors.
Menendez's hold on the sale of F-16s is a significant obstacle to Turkey's efforts to acquire the jets. Without U.S. approval, Turkey will not be able to purchase the jets from any other country.
Menendez said he has "serious concerns" about the sale of F-16s to Turkey, including the country's human rights record and its purchase of a Russian missile defense system.
The Biden administration has been pushing for the sale of F-16s to Turkey, arguing that it is important to maintain a strong relationship with a key NATO ally.
However, Menendez and other critics of the sale argue that Turkey's human rights record and its purchase of the Russian missile system make it an unreliable partner.
The sale of F-16s to Turkey is a complex issue with no easy answers. The Biden administration will need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of the sale before making a final decision.
Atlantic Council
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