Feb. 20, 2019

• U.S. Blocks Transfer of F-35 Fighter Jets to Turkey – Ilhan Tanir
  President Donald Trump on Friday signed a spending bill that blocks the transfer of the country’s F-35 new generation fighter jets to Turkey until the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense submit an update to the report regarding the purchase by Turkey of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. (Ahval-Turkey)
• See also Erdogan Recommits to Buying Russian Missiles Despite U.S. Warnings – Dorian Jones
  Turkish President Erdogan has reaffirmed his commitment to buy the Russian S-400 missile defense system in the face of renewed warnings from the U.S.  Turkey’s NATO allies warn that the S-400 compromises their defense systems. Analyst Sinan Ulgen of the Istanbul-based Edam research organization warned that if the S-400 purchase goes through, “it could also lead to the [U.S.] suspending the delivery of the F-35 fighter. But also other projects like the purchase of F-16s and military helicopters would be affected.”  (VOA News)