Turkey says it will retaliate if U.S. halts weapons sales

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



MAY 6, 2018 / 3:42 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Tuvan Gumrukcu

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey will retaliate if the United States enacts a proposed law that would halt weapons sales to the country, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives released details on Friday of a $717 billion annual defense policy bill, including a measure to temporarily halt weapons sales to Turkey.

In an interview with broadcaster CNN Turk, Cavusoglu said the measures in the bill were wrong, illogical and not fitting between the NATO allies.

“If the United States imposes sanctions on us or takes such a step, Turkey will absolutely retaliate,” Cavusoglu said. “What needs to be done is the U.S. needs to let go of this.”



Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-turkey-defense/turkey-says-it-will-retaliate-if-u-s-halts-weapons-sales-idUSKBN1I7050

[Eyeball_Kid]

1. What on earth does "retaliation" mean? If the US doesn't sell Turkey weapons,

will they have a tantrum? Or will they buy weapons from Russia? Or will they refuse to give US citizens travel visas to Turkey?

[silverweb]

2. That's what I'm wondering.

Retaliate... how, exactly?

[bronxiteforever]

3. Here is something to keep you up at night

The US has dozens of nuclear weapons stockpiled in a Turkish air base, and experts have questioned the wisdom behind that as Turkey appears become increasingly hostile to the West.

http://www.businessinsider.com/us-nuclear-weapons-incirlik-turkey-question-nato-proxy-war-2018-1

[Fred Sanders]

7. Thanks for the info. By "retaliate" the removal of the nukes and American bases would be the

logical meaning of the word, and not just the screaming headline version.

[pennylane100]

9. Remove would be a good scenario.

Take, or at least attempt to take, the weapons would be crazy. On a side note, We lived in Turkey for three years in the sixties and my son was born there at a US military hospital. I loved every minute of it and the people were very friendly and always make us feel welcome. My daughter was three when we arrived, and spoke fluent Turkish when we left as she played out in the street with all the other children in a court in a very friendly neighborhood

[Hortensis]

18. Nice perspective and story. Long ago I made Turkish

friends in California, a pair of sisters, and their stories of their home and life in Turkey were generally very nice, happy ones, though political events at that time were worrying them. They invited me to come visit, and I've always been sorry I didn't make it happen. This was pre- internet and after a few letters we lost touch.

In spite of Erdogan's cozying up with Russia, buying their missile system, does the suggestion here that he might dismantle American military protection against Russia seem to make sense? I've read he wants Turkey in the EU, but have no picture of what all the scanned headlines mean.

[pennylane100]

19. I could be wrong but I imagine the plan to join came before Ergodan took office and is now off.

Turkey would never be asked to join under his rule, in my opinion, as he is far too authoritarian. They would have to accept the terms which includes joining the Court of Justice as well as many other and other citizen protections. That is far too liberal than Ergpodan would tolerate.

[bronxiteforever]

10. Fred I don't know. I agree that

Your scenario is clearly the likely one but I don’t consider Turkey stable. There was an attempted coup recently. Plus Erdogan is playing a long game with Russia and Syria and add Iran to the mix.
The one constant is that the entire region is unsettled and grand WW1 type alliances seem to be forming. Then you add our nukes and do we really have an eye on them? Our diplomatic corps is in shambles so how great is diplomacy with Turkey. Then add the NATO factor and the Kurds.

In our corner is The new Sec of State and the Con. I don’t feel secure and I sure as hell don’t feel confident in Commander Bone Spurs. Let’s hope the likely wins out over the dangerous choice.

[moriah]

13. Also, deny US planes airspace to fly in, etc....

Which would be a biggie.

[Crowman2009]

4. Probably attack the Kurdish forces we're supporting. Regardless if their are american advisers...

on the ground.

[JackRiddler]

11. They have been doing this for several months now...

and occupied the Kurdish enclave of Afrin, killing many, expelling the residents. In this Turkey is allied with the "Free Syrian Army," the "moderate rebels" who at times have received CIA support. So CIA's proxy vs. the Pentagon-backed Kurdish forces. On the ground, there has been ethnic cleansing.

[Jedi Guy]

5. As another poster mentioned...

There are US nukes in Turkey. In addition, they could refuse to let us use air bases in the country, refuse to allow our planes to fly through their airspace, and demand that our troops leave the country.

There's quite a bit they could do that would inconvenience us. Also, continuing to irritate them could push them further into aligning themselves with Russia. Worst case, they might leave NATO.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. They can close the U.S. Air Force bases around Ankara, Izmir, etc

Plus the CIA listening posts, if those are still around.

And, just to be annoying, they can escalate genocide against Kurds.

[Fred Sanders]

8. Weapons from Russia is already a deal.

From the article:

Turkey signed an agreement with Russia in December to buy S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries as part of Ankara’s plans to boost its defense capabilities amid threats from Kurdish and Islamist militants at home and conflicts across its borders in Syria and Iraq.

[Sherman A1]

12. Basing for our forces comes to mind.

As also mentioned the nuclear weapons that are there and the use of airspace which would be important in Syrian operations (our presence there is another question entirely).

It is a complex portion of the world, every action and statement has a ripple effect.

[dembotoz]

14. moron trump seems to think the world has no other other option than to comply with his bullshit

as the cancelled agriculture orders to china has clearly shown....this is just stupid

[Maxheader]

15. Do the Kurds and Islamist militants even have

aircraft? Why the surface to air missiles?

Turkey signed an agreement with Russia in December to buy S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries as part of Ankara’s plans to boost its defense capabilities amid threats from Kurdish and Islamist militants at home and conflicts across its borders in Syria and Iraq.

[IronLionZion]

16. The US should retaliate by creating an independent Kurdistan

and build a new air base there since Turkey is going to throw us out of Incirlik soon anyway.

[rollin74]

17. fuck the Turkish govt. time to arm the Kurds