US President Donald Trump said he’s considering selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a move opposed by Israel and one that would reverse a ban ratified in law during his first term.
Here’s why such a sale would be controversial:
• In 2019, Turkey – a NATO ally – purchased a Russian missile defense system designed to shoot down an F-35.
• The S-400, considered Russia’s closest answer to the US’s Patriot air defense system, is billed as being able to shoot down aircraft at a distance of up to 150 miles (240 km) and intercept ballistic missiles up to 38 miles away.
• The US responded to the 2019 purchase by slapping sanctions on Turkey and…