Against the backdrop of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s most recent outburst, word comes from the Turkish press that the Turkish government believes that the Obama administration will move forward with plans to give–not sell, but give–two frigates to Turkey. The transfer died in the Congress in 2012, when the Senate became sidetracked with sequestration and other last-minute issues. As Hürriyet Daily News explained:
A U.S bill anticipating the donation of two frigates to Turkey with the authorization of President Barack Obama has failed due to technical, not political, reasons, according to Turkish diplomatic sources… the motion required Senate approval for a free give-away of advanced American naval vessels to Turkey to come into effect. The ships in question are the USS Halyburton (FFG-40) and the USS Thach (FFG-43).
It is hard to square provision of such ships to Turkey given the threats Turkey has made to utilize its navy against Israel and Cyprus. To provide ships against the backdrop of such bluster would be akin to offering to give China weaponry as it asserts itself militarily against Japan because of the Senkaku Islands dispute. It is also curious Obama would give any military equipment to Turkey when (a) Turkey does not at present face a naval threat and (b) Turkey has actively sought to undercut international sanctions on Iran. Certainly, this gift appears not only undeserved, but dangerous.
Maybe Turkey needs two frigates to shoot down Egypt's new F-16s in a war over Kurdistan? n nOn a serious note, perhaps the USA just needs to go mercenary: start charging for the hardware to be deputy policeman. Last time the US had a positive total trade balance was when Bush41 charged tens of billions in reimbursements for Desert Storm.
Is it really Obama who's "rewarding" Turkey? Check your facts. n nJan 1, 2013: n"The US House of Representatives has approved a bill seeking permission to give guided missile frigates to Turkey, Thailand and Mexico. n n"The bill was submitted to and passed by the House of Representatives on Monday. It authorizes President Barack Obama to grant the US military permission to provide guided missile frigates to these three countries. n n"Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL], chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, introduced the bill to the House on Dec. 11, 2012."
What was the actual bill #??
Whoever approved, for whatever reason[s], to whatever nation, this is insane.
Turkey tricked us in the war on Iraq. It said it would let the US army go through Turkey, and then reneged, delaying the outcome of the war.
If need be IL will sink both if Erdo use any against IL.