Why F-35 Fighter Jet Is at Heart of US-Turkey Ties: QuickTake

Ties between the US and Turkey have been strained over the Turkish government’s purchase of a Russian surface-to-air missile-defense system. The Americans responded by barring Turkey’s access to their F-35 stealth fighter jet in 2019 and imposing sanctions.

The dispute wasn’t resolved when Presidents Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan met at the White House on Sept. 25, although Trump suggested that he’s open to allowing Turkey to purchase F-35s.

“It depends,” the US leader said when asked if the way had been cleared for a deal with Erdogan. “He’s going to do something for us.”

It’s not clear ...