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On Monday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on its NATO ally Turkey. The move came after Turkey purchased a Russian air defense system, the S-400 missile defense system along with Turkish actions in Syria. It sets the stage for a further confrontation between the two nations as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office. The US had previously kicked Turkey out of its F-35 stealth fighter development and training program over the purchase. But, Washington didn’t take further steps despite persistent warnings from American officials who have long complained about the purchase of the S-400. The US officials also said the S-400 defense system is incompatible with NATO equipment and a potential threat to allied security.

The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said, “The United States made clear to Turkey at the highest levels and on numerous occasions that its purchase of the S-400 system would endanger the security of US military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry. Turkey nevertheless decided to move ahead with the procurement and testing of the S-400, despite the availability of alternative, NATO-interoperable systems to meet its defense requirements. I urge Turkey to resolve the S-400 problem immediately in coordination with the United States. Turkey is a valued Ally and an important regional security partner for the United States, and we seek to continue our decades-long history of productive defense-sector cooperation by removing the obstacle of Turkey’s S-400 possession as soon as possible”.

It is noteworthy that the sanctions would target Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, the country’s military procurement agency, its chief Ismail Demir, and 3 other senior officials. The penalties block any assets the 4 officials may have in US jurisdictions and bar their entry into the US. It also includes a ban on most export licenses, loans, and credits to the agency. The Trump administration had held off on imposing punitive sanctions outside of the fighter program for months, to give Turkish officials time because of President Donald Trump’s personal relationship with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The sanctions pose a potential dilemma for the incoming administration, although the president-elect’s team has signaled it is opposed to Turkey’s use of the S-400 and the disunity within NATO it may cause.