After hosting Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House, former US President Donald Trump is now set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This marks Erdogan's first visit to the White House since 2019, and it's being seen as a significant moment for US-Turkey relations. Speculation is rife that this meeting could lead to the lifting of the US ban on selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.Understanding the Situation:Back during Trump's previous term, the US had removed Turkey from its F-35 fighter jet program. The main reason for this was Turkey's decision to purchase Russia's S-400 air defense system. US officials were concerned that if Turkey used this Russian system, it could potentially gather sensitive information about the F-35's capabilities, which might then be compromised to Russia.However, last week, Trump announced Erdogan's upcoming visit, expressing optimism that a resolution to this long-standing issue could be found soon. He shared on social media that they are working on several trade and military agreements with the Turkish President, including major purchases of Boeing aircraft, an F-16 deal, and ongoing discussions about the F-35. He's hopeful that the F-35 talks will move in a positive direction.The US has had its worries about Turkey's human rights record and its growing ties with Russia. Relations have also been complicated by tensions between Turkey and a key US ally, Israel, particularly concerning Gaza and Syria. Erdogan has clearly stated his desire for the F-35 ban to be lifted. In an interview, he mentioned that he doesn't believe it's right for a strategic partnership. Turkey argues that it has already paid $1.4 billion for these advanced aircraft.Trump to Meet Sharif as Well:Earlier this week, Trump is also scheduled to meet with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the White House. According to reports, this meeting comes just weeks after a trade agreement was reached between the two countries. US-Pakistan relations have seen a warming trend under Trump's administration in recent months, a shift from previous years where the US often viewed India as a more significant partner in Asia for countering China.Prior to this, Trump had welcomed Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to the White House. This was notably the first time an American president hosted a Pakistani army chief without any senior Pakistani civilian official present. A State Department official indicated that the US is working on various issues, including counterterrorism, economic ties, and trade relations, and the President is focused on advancing US interests in the region, which includes engaging with Pakistan and its leaders.
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