The vote in the Turkish Parliament on January 23 in favor of Sweden's acceptance into NATO is important news for the alliance. Although Sweden's accession still depends on the approval of Hungary, the last NATO member that has not yet ratified it, the Turkish step represents significant progress. The Turkish Parliament's decision put an end to a long diplomatic saga between Ankara and the allies surrounding the issue, which led to dissatisfaction and frustration among Western leaders, and even increased doubts about Turkey's future in NATO and the extent of its loyalty to the alliance. The positive ending of this saga symbolizes the importance that Turkey attaches to its membership in NATO after all, and creates hopes within the alliance for the continued membership of a country that is seen as having a vital contribution.
It is expected that the Turkish move, along with the thaw in Turkey-Greece relations over the past year, will lead to the removal of the opposition in the US Congress to the supply of upgraded F-16 aircraft to the Turkish Air Force. Turkey needs new fighter jets given that its aircraft fleet is very outdated, especially compared to many countries in the region that have purchased advanced aircraft in recent years. Turkey was part of the F-35 project and was supposed to receive 100 fighter jets, but was expelled from the project following its decision in 2017 to purchase the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Therefore, receiving the F-16s is particularly important.
From Israel's point of view, despite the growing differences of opinion with Ankara, there are advantages to Turkey's anchoring within NATO because Turkish rapprochement with Russia and China is much more dangerous. At the same time, at a time when Ankara and Washington see the utilitarian aspect of their relationship as the guiding aspect (rather than shared values), a circle will be closed when Turkey receives what it wants – fighter jets – in exchange for agreeing to Sweden’s bid to join NATO. After receiving the jets, Turkey may consider the position of the United States less and allow itself to adopt an even more aggressive policy toward Israel, especially in light of the war in Gaza.
The vote in the Turkish Parliament on January 23 in favor of Sweden's acceptance into NATO is important news for the alliance. Although Sweden's accession still depends on the approval of Hungary, the last NATO member that has not yet ratified it, the Turkish step represents significant progress. The Turkish Parliament's decision put an end to a long diplomatic saga between Ankara and the allies surrounding the issue, which led to dissatisfaction and frustration among Western leaders, and even increased doubts about Turkey's future in NATO and the extent of its loyalty to the alliance. The positive ending of this saga symbolizes the importance that Turkey attaches to its membership in NATO after all, and creates hopes within the alliance for the continued membership of a country that is seen as having a vital contribution.
It is expected that the Turkish move, along with the thaw in Turkey-Greece relations over the past year, will lead to the removal of the opposition in the US Congress to the supply of upgraded F-16 aircraft to the Turkish Air Force. Turkey needs new fighter jets given that its aircraft fleet is very outdated, especially compared to many countries in the region that have purchased advanced aircraft in recent years. Turkey was part of the F-35 project and was supposed to receive 100 fighter jets, but was expelled from the project following its decision in 2017 to purchase the S-400 air defense system from Russia. Therefore, receiving the F-16s is particularly important.
From Israel's point of view, despite the growing differences of opinion with Ankara, there are advantages to Turkey's anchoring within NATO because Turkish rapprochement with Russia and China is much more dangerous. At the same time, at a time when Ankara and Washington see the utilitarian aspect of their relationship as the guiding aspect (rather than shared values), a circle will be closed when Turkey receives what it wants – fighter jets – in exchange for agreeing to Sweden’s bid to join NATO. After receiving the jets, Turkey may consider the position of the United States less and allow itself to adopt an even more aggressive policy toward Israel, especially in light of the war in Gaza.