Erdogan Respected by Trump and Putin, Why is Netanyahu Afraid?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan navigates a complex geopolitical landscape, enjoying respect from U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu perceives him as a significant strategic threat.

During a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump indicated a willingness to lift sanctions imposed on Turkey for its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems and suggested the possibility of selling F-35 stealth fighter jets. "We don't want to sanction friends," Trump stated, expressing no concerns about Turkey and calling the Washington-Ankara relationship potentially the best it has ever been. Erdogan reciprocated, referencing a past promise of five F-35 jets from the U.S. and noting, "I know Mr. Trump always keeps his promises," highlighting a personal rapport based on understanding power dynamics and political loyalty.

However, Netanyahu views the potential return of F-35s to Turkey with alarm. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly canceled a meeting with Netanyahu to discuss the F-35 sale. Netanyahu had previously voiced his opposition, telling CNN that the sale would "destroy the balance of power in the Middle East because Turkey has aggressive aspirations." This concern stems from Israel's long-standing reliance on its military superiority in the region.

Netanyahu's "fear" is described not as personal dislike for Erdogan, but as strategic anxiety over shifts in the aerial, military, and diplomatic balance in the Middle East. If Turkey, a major NATO member with a large military, reacquires F-35s, its position in ongoing conflicts and disputes involving Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Black Sea would be significantly enhanced. Reports indicate Netanyahu had urged Trump to "restrain" Erdogan before the NATO summit and to withhold weapons systems that could modernize Turkey's air force, including potential deals for jet engines and Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 program.