"The episode is the latest in a series of crises between the longtime allies. The U.S. slammed Turkey’s plans to buy a missile defense system from Russia, which already has raised the threat of American sanctions. The countries have also clashed over the war in Syria, where Turkey has increasingly acted in concert with Russia and Iran."
"Brunson’s detention has come at a critical time in U.S.-Turkey relations. Erdogan has been infuriated by U.S. support for Kurdish rebels in Syria who he views as linked to domestic terror groups. And his decision to purchase a Russian missile system has raised questions about Turkey’s role in the NATO alliance. Turkey has NATO’s second-biggest military."
"The missile system purchase and other tensions have also prompted some U.S. Lawmakers to call for a halt in sales of the F-35 jet to Turkey, even though several key parts of the fighter are made in Turkey. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has opposed that effort, but the House-Senate conference report on the Pentagon’s fiscal 2019 funding bill calls for sales to be delayed until a report on Turkey is completed by the Pentagon."
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