00:15A secret push by Israel, a major U.S. arms decision, and a NATO ally caught in the middle.
00:23President Trump is facing pressure over Turkey's military ambitions.
00:28Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged President Donald Trump
00:35to block advanced U.S. weapons sales to Turkey, warning that upgrading Ankara's Air Force could change the military balance
00:44in the Middle East.
00:45According to reports, Netanyahu raised the issue during a private phone conversation with Trump,
00:51expressing concerns over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's criticism of Israel and Ankara's growing regional influence.
01:00At the center of the dispute are advanced military systems, including potential access to F-35 fighter jets and aircraft
01:09engines that could strengthen Turkey's next-generation fighter program.
01:14Netanyahu has publicly argued that Turkey should not receive F-35s or advanced jet engines, claiming that such a move
01:23could weaken Israel's longstanding air superiority in the region.
01:26He accused Erdogan's government of following policies hostile toward Israel, and warned that boosting Turkey's air capabilities could upset the
01:36current balance of power in the Middle East.
01:38The timing of Netanyahu's appeal is significant.
01:42The issue emerged just before the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump was expected to meet Erdogan and discuss broader
01:50U.S.-Turkey relations.
01:52Turkey, one of NATO's most powerful military members, has been seeking to rebuild defense ties with Washington after being removed
02:01from the F-35 program in 2019.
02:03The U.S. decision came after Ankara purchased Russia's S-400 air defense system, with Washington arguing that the system
02:12could compromise sensitive F-35 technology.
02:16However, the Trump administration has shown signs of reopening military cooperation with Turkey.
02:22Reports suggest Washington is considering defense-related sales, including aircraft engines that could support Turkey's indigenous Khan fifth-generation fighter
02:33project, while any return to the F-35 program remains uncertain.
02:37The situation puts Trump in a delicate position, balancing his relationship with Netanyahu and Israel while maintaining ties with Turkey,
02:47a key NATO ally.
02:49For Israel, the concern is preserving its qualitative military edge.
02:54For Turkey, the goal is expanding its air power and strengthening its defense industry.
02:59As discussions continue, the possible U.S. arms decisions involving Turkey could become a major test for America's alliances in
03:09the Middle East and NATO.
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