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View Full Version : Nuclear Deal Parties Not Ready To Launch Dispute Mechanism Against Iran, Prefer More



Gunny
07-16-2019, 09:00 AM
Not a lot new here except the continuing effort by the EU to appease the World's largest exporter of Islamic terrorism. The article DOES explain the "deal" in more detail than I have seen in the media. That is the main reason I posted it.

Does Europe learn nothing? One would think turning a blind eye to Hitler and the price tag that came with it might help the thought process.:rolleyes:


July 15, 2019
By John Irish and Daphne Psaledakis
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The remaining parties to the Iran nuclear deal do not see Tehran’s breaches as significant and do not intend for now to trigger the pact’s dispute mechanism, preferring more diplomacy to ease the crisis, the EU foreign policy chief said on Monday.
She spoke at the end of an European Union foreign ministers meeting after Britain said there was only a “small window” of time to salvage the deal, while Iran warned it would ramp up uranium enrichment if the EU failed to do more to that end.U.S.-Iranian tensions have escalated since U.S. President Donald Trump decided last year to abandon the nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its atomic program in return for relief from economic sanctions crippling its economy.
The EU ministers drew no conclusions on what action should next be taken to head off a feared U.S.-Iranian conflict. But by suggesting that Iran’s non-compliance was not significant, it could anger the United States, which last week warned it would intensify sanctions on Iran over its breaches, and it did prompt an immediate outcry from Israel, Iran’s regional arch-enemy.
“For the time being, none of the parties to the agreement has signaled their intention to invoke this article,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Brussels, referring to a mechanism to punish non-compliance.
“(It) means that none of them for the moment, for the time being with the current data we have had in particular from the (U.N. nuclear watchdog) IAEA, (consider Iran’s) non-compliance…to be significant non-compliance.”
NUCLEAR BREACHES
IAEA inspectors last week confirmed Iran is now enriching uranium to 4.5% fissile purity, above the 3.67% limit set by its deal, the second breach in as many weeks after Tehran exceeded limits on its stock of low enriched uranium.
The level at which Iran is now refining uranium is still well below the 20% purity of enrichment Iran reached before the deal, and the 90% needed to yield bomb-grade nuclear fuel. Low-enriched uranium provides fuel for civilian power plants.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier in the day that Iran remained “a good year away from developing a nuclear bomb”. He told reporters in Brussels: “There is still some closing, but small window to keep the deal alive.”
Under the terms of the deal, if any party believes another is not upholding their commitments they can refer the issue to a Joint Commission comprising Iran, Russia, China, the three European powers, and the European Union.
This activates a dispute mechanism that could eventually end with a restoration of global, U.N. sanctions against Iran. Mogherini said a joint commission meeting was possible, although when and at what level had yet to be decided.
She indicated that for now the EU would focus on diplomatic efforts to save the nuclear deal, which signatories in 2015 touted as essential to ward off the risk of a wider Middle East war jeopardizing global energy supplies.
“The deal is not in good health, but it’s still alive. We hope and we invite Iran to reverse these steps and go back to full compliance with the agreement,” Mogherini, adding that they were all reversible.
“APPEASEMENT”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the EU’s response on Monday, saying it recalled failed diplomacy with Nazi Germany in the run-up to World War Two.
“(It) reminds me of the European appeasement of the 1930s,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.
“Then, too, there were those who stuck their head in the sand and did not see the approaching danger,” said Netanyahu, who has often cast Iran’s nuclear projects as a mortal menace to Israel and the wider world. Iran denies seeking a nuclear bomb.
The Brussels gathering had been called to flesh out ways of convincing Iran and the United States to reduce tensions and start a dialogue amid fears the 2015 deal is close to collapse.
Fears of direct U.S.-Iranian conflict have risen since May with several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf, Iran’s downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, and a plan for U.S. air strikes on Iran last month that Trump called off at the last minute.
In reaction to the reimposition of tough U.S. sanctions, which have notably targeted Iran’s vital oil revenue stream, Tehran has cut some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.
That led the European parties to the pact, France, Britain and Germany, to warn Tehran not to shred the deal’s terms.
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom suggested the Europeans would leave the door open for diplomacy but that Tehran should exercise restraint.
“It improves their chances of having a good discussion with the EU and other partners in the JCPOA (Iran deal),” she told reporters. “We encourage them to use all diplomatic means and create new diplomatic channels …to de-escalate the tense situation. We have to use every opportunity to keep the deal.”
The Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy agency said Tehran would return to the situation before the nuclear deal unless European countries fulfilled their obligations.
“These actions are not taken out of stubbornness but to give diplomacy a chance,” agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.
“And if the Europeans and America don’t want to fulfil their commitments we will create a balance in this deal by reducing commitments and return the situation to four years ago.”
Iran says the European countries must do more to guarantee it the trade and investment dividends it was due to receive in return for U.N.-monitored limits to its nuclear capacity under the deal.
TRADE MECHANISM
The Europeans are also trying to set up Instex, a barter-based trade conduit with Iran, but an equivalent Iranian mechanism has yet to start. Should the mechanism go ahead it would initially only deal in products such as pharmaceuticals and foods, which are not subject to U.S. sanctions.
Mogherini also said the shareholders of Instex, which now includes 10 EU members, were considering whether to include oil, something that until now has been ruled out given the threat of U.S. blowback.
Iran has said Instex must include oil sales or provide substantial credit facilities for it to be beneficial.
GRAPHIC – Commitments under threat: https://tmsnrt.rs/2XSTTiN
(Additional reporting by Robin Emmott and Francesco Guarascio in Brussels, Marine Pennetier in Paris. Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
https://www.oann.com/britain-sees-small-window-to-save-nuclear-deal-iran-presses-europe-to-act/

STTAB
07-16-2019, 11:29 AM
Myself I believe the US should put sanction on the EU if they continue to try to help Iran get around US sanctions.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 12:07 PM
Myself I believe the US should put sanction on the EU if they continue to try to help Iran get around US sanctions.The EU, IMO, is nothing but another shot at socialist failure. Wonder how many times it has to fail before anyone gets it? It's just another bureaucracy that isn't worth a penny of its cost.

Reminds me of the Southern US states signing on to be part of the US only to find out they can't leave as freely as they joined.

STTAB
07-16-2019, 01:13 PM
The EU, IMO, is nothing but another shot at socialist failure. Wonder how many times it has to fail before anyone gets it? It's just another bureaucracy that isn't worth a penny of its cost.

Reminds me of the Southern US states signing on to be part of the US only to find out they can't leave as freely as they joined.

The EU is as worthless as all of the rest of the multinational initial groups. NATO , UN , EU none of them are worth a shit.

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 01:33 PM
I disagree about NATO, but will agree with all the others.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 01:39 PM
I disagree about NATO, but will agree with all the others.NATOs an "iffy" one with me. What constitutes an issue to NATO? Invading the Crimea and backing rebel organizations in Ukraine?

Having Twerphead Erdogan/Turkey as a member?

For that matter, I'd HATE to be OUR ally. When the going gets tough for us, our politicians just leave.

I'd be for re-addressing ALL of our post-WWII mutual defense agreements if our government could ever start by addressing itself first.

STTAB
07-16-2019, 01:57 PM
I disagree about NATO, but will agree with all the others.

Post cold war what has NATO done that is in the least bit impressive? They have turned into nothing more than another anti American bullshit group that takes our money while bitching about us. I mean fucking Turkey is in NATO, Id want Russia in NATO before I'd want Turkey in there. You can't trust a Turk any further than you could throw him, and anyone who ever spent any time in that region would tell you the same thing..

Gunny
07-16-2019, 02:08 PM
Post cold war what has NATO done that is in the least bit impressive? They have turned into nothing more than another anti American bullshit group that takes our money while bitching about us. I mean fucking Turkey is in NATO, Id want Russia in NATO before I'd want Turkey in there. You can't trust a Turk any further than you could throw him, and anyone who ever spent any time in that region would tell you the same thing..I hate Turks. Rather have a rattler as an ally. And they will sell us out in a second.

Far as I was concerned we should have kicked Turkey's ass out of Syria. They're the most dangerous f-ckers over there.

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 02:16 PM
I hate Turks. Rather have a rattler as an ally. And they will sell us out in a second.

Far as I was concerned we should have kicked Turkey's ass out of Syria. They're the most dangerous f-ckers over there.

I'd like to see Turkey ousted, I'm betting that happens within a couple years. Trump love Erdogan, but most of the West doesn't.

STTAB
07-16-2019, 02:35 PM
I hate Turks. Rather have a rattler as an ally. And they will sell us out in a second.

Far as I was concerned we should have kicked Turkey's ass out of Syria. They're the most dangerous f-ckers over there.

You're damn right, the Turks have ZERO concept of loyalty to anyone or anything. We might as well of made ISIS a member of NATO as far as I'm concerned.

For example, you can guarantee that the moment those shit bags think it's clear they will move into Syria and attack the Kurds. NATO "ally" or not the moment they attempt it we need to fuck them up good.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 02:44 PM
I'd like to see Turkey ousted, I'm betting that happens within a couple years. Trump love Erdogan, but most of the West doesn't.Interesting comment. Where do you get the impression Trump "loves Erdogan"? That was not the impression I got at all.

STTAB
07-16-2019, 02:48 PM
Interesting comment. Where do you get the impression Trump "loves Erdogan"? That was not the impression I got at all.

Dude, haven't you been watching CNN, it's well known that Trump admires dictators, the more brutal the more he loves them.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 02:51 PM
You're damn right, the Turks have ZERO concept of loyalty to anyone or anything. We might as well of made ISIS a member of NATO as far as I'm concerned.

For example, you can guarantee that the moment those shit bags think it's clear they will move into Syria and attack the Kurds. NATO "ally" or not the moment they attempt it we need to fuck them up good.AH ... you didn't go read my threads in the ME forum on Turkey. I lived there for 2 years. You're preaching to the choir.

They don't need us, or so Erdogan thinks, and they have always, even when we were the only thing between Turkey and Moscow spit on the street at us. Technology has bypassed our need for Turkey. I'd gift wrap the pace and hand it to Putin. Let him deal with their arrogant, duplicitous half-Persian mongrel asses.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 02:57 PM
Dude, haven't you been watching CNN, it's well known that Trump admires dictators, the more brutal the more he loves them.I am aware he's got a thing for Putin. I didn't see that with Erdogan.

What I saw Trump do with Turkey was back out of a situation where he would either have to commit full US forces or stand aside. I don't think he was prepared to commit the forces and certainly he wasn't going to get any help from Congress from either party. I don't think he was prepared for Erdogan to grandstand on him.

I wanted to kick Turkey's ass. At least out of Syria and I'm damned sure against abandoning the kurds that supported us for 2 decades worth of war when Erdogan is dead set on eradicating them after labeling all of them terrorists. I'm definitely against leaving Syria/Iraq with Turkey as one of the major powers remaining. There's something in it for Turkey besides genocide or they wouldn't be there. I'd just as soon deprive them of whatever it is.

STTAB
07-16-2019, 03:05 PM
AH ... you didn't go read my threads in the ME forum on Turkey. I lived there for 2 years. You're preaching to the choir.

They don't need us, or so Erdogan thinks, and they have always, even when we were the only thing between Turkey and Moscow spit on the street at us. Technology has bypassed our need for Turkey. I'd gift wrap the pace and hand it to Putin. Let him deal with their arrogant, duplicitous half-Persian mongrel asses.

I cross trained with some Turks after Desert Storm, and those motherfuckers were the worst, not only did they smell like a mixture of tobacco and camel shit even when there wasnt a camel within 1000 miles , but they were just outright disgusting people to be around. We had this big family type picnic at the end of our training where the Turks were supposed to meet and mingle with the family of their American hosts. This all took place at Fort Sill so an easy enough drive for my parents who brought my son with them. Anyway my parent were like 42 at the time and dressed appropriate for the age, but it was a hot day so my mother was in shorts as were most of the women there , this one fucking Turkih piece of shit called my mom a whore , right to my face . I told him he could apologize or go home in a body bag. He eventually decided to apologize

I fucking hate Turks.

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 03:05 PM
Interesting comment. Where do you get the impression Trump "loves Erdogan"? That was not the impression I got at all.

Not much on CNN, but it was well covered:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/351791-trump-praises-erdogan-hes-become-a-close-friend


Trump praises Erdogan: 'We have a great friendship'
BY JOSH DELK - 09/21/17 04:10 PM EDT

Trump praises Erdogan: 'We have a great friendship'
President Trump on Thursday hailed the close relationship formed with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a bilateral meeting in New York.


"We have a great friendship, as countries and I think we're right now as close as we've ever been," Trump said, according to pool reports. His comments come a day after delivering his first address before the United Nations General Assembly.


Trump praises Erdoğan, says US and Turkey relationship is closest that has never been pic.twitter.com/Ci4KTJ1IXm


— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 21, 2017
Trump went on to say that Erdogan is “running a very difficult part of the world. He has evolved very strongly, and frankly he’s getting very high marks.”

...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fist-bumped-turkish-leader-erdogan-said-he-does-things-the-right-way/


By DAVID MORGAN CBS NEWS July 16, 2018, 10:03 AM
Trump fist-bumped Turkish leader Erdogan, said he "does things the right way"

...

"Trump was very frustrated; he wasn't getting commitments from other leaders to spend more. Many of them said, 'Well, we have to ask our parliaments. We have a process; we can't just tell you we're going to spend more, we have a legal process.' Trump turns around to the Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, and says, 'Except for Erdogan over here. He does things the right way,' and then actually fist-bumps the Turkish president."


It was a startling gesture of support for the increasingly authoritarian Turkish leader, who recently won another term and is widely expected to continue consolidating his power.

...

STTAB
07-16-2019, 03:06 PM
Not much on CNN, but it was well covered:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/351791-trump-praises-erdogan-hes-become-a-close-friend



https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fist-bumped-turkish-leader-erdogan-said-he-does-things-the-right-way/

Come on, he also called Kim a great friend. Do you REALLY think he think him and Kim are buddies, or do you suppose he's just doing what comes naturally to him as a salesman?

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 03:17 PM
Come on, he also called Kim a great friend. Do you REALLY think he think him and Kim are buddies, or do you suppose he's just doing what comes naturally to him as a salesman?
Not talking about Kim. Not talking about someone who’s as thin skinned and susceptible to asskiissing as himself.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 03:21 PM
Not much on CNN, but it was well covered:

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/351791-trump-praises-erdogan-hes-become-a-close-friend



https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-fist-bumped-turkish-leader-erdogan-said-he-does-things-the-right-way/Not surprising I missed that since it's from CNN. I'd as soon be friends with that gator in Chicago when it was hungry,

I have issue with some of Trump's foreign policy. Not all of it but I was not okay with eating shit from Erdogan over the kurds in Syria. Sorry, that's not my kind of "friend". If Erdogan's self-serving ass is playing buddies with Trump rest assured there is something in it for Erdogan/Turkey. Because meanwhile, back at the ranch, Erdogan is kissing up to Putin for a nuclear power plant.

We can most afford to dump the place and should. Russia can't since it borders Russia and the Black Sea.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 03:25 PM
Come on, he also called Kim a great friend. Do you REALLY think he think him and Kim are buddies, or do you suppose he's just doing what comes naturally to him as a salesman?Glad you mentioned that. So I'm watching the tube and they start shilling the Elton Jane story and the movie is called "Rocket Man". I nearly fell out of my chair.

As many times as Trump called Un "Little Rocket Man" the best you can do is name your alleged autobiographical movie after him? :laugh2: I thought it was funny anyway :) I think I'd have titled my movie after a different one of my songs.

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 03:25 PM
Not surprising I missed that since it's from CNN. I'd as soon be friends with that gator in Chicago when it was hungry,

I have issue with some of Trump's foreign policy. Not all of it but I was not okay with eating shit from Erdogan over the kurds in Syria. Sorry, that's not my kind of "friend". If Erdogan's self-serving ass is playing buddies with Trump rest assured there is something in it for Erdogan/Turkey. Because meanwhile, back at the ranch, Erdogan is kissing up to Putin for a nuclear power plant.

We can most afford to dump the place and should. Russia can't since it borders Russia and the Black Sea.

It was not CNN, that was STAAB thinking he was cute.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 03:54 PM
It was not CNN, that was STAAB thinking he was cute.Point is, I missed it. I'd have probably been hootin' n- hollerin' about it if I'd caught it. I'm not a politician and I doubt I could play two-faced long with a Turk. I guess I couldn't expect anything other than Trump being diplomatic while being handed some $. Not sure I'd go with the fist bump about it :laugh:

I wouldn't trust myself to get my fist that close to Erdogan's face and not connect. I think I'd forego claiming it was a slip ...:halo9: I most certainly wouldn't forget renaming the street in front of the US Embassy in Turkey after a victory of Turkey's army over a bunch of farmers in Northern Syria. Like I haven't.

Trump's foreign policy is just twilight zone material to me. I don't mean that in a good or bad way. Just means I don't get. He makes no sense from a military/geopolitical view.

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 03:57 PM
Point is, I missed it. I'd have probably been hootin' n- hollerin' about it if I'd caught it. I'm not a politician and I doubt I could play two-faced long with a Turk. I guess I couldn't expect anything other than Trump being diplomatic while being handed some $. Not sure I'd go with the fist bump about it :laugh:

I wouldn't trust myself to get my fist that close to Erdogan's face and not connect. I think I'd forego claiming it was a slip ...:halo9: I most certainly wouldn't forget renaming the street in front of the US Embassy in Turkey after a victory of Turkey's army over a bunch of farmers in Northern Syria. Like I haven't.

Trump's foreign policy is just twilight zone material to me. I don't mean that in a good or bad way. Just means I don't get. He makes no sense from a military/geopolitical view.

I would say that most of what Trump says, does, and writes leaves me the same.

Gunny
07-16-2019, 04:05 PM
I would say that most of what Trump says, does, and writes leaves me the same.I try to look at him a bit more objectively than that:laugh:

Kathianne
07-16-2019, 04:07 PM
I try to look at him a bit more objectively than that:laugh:

I could argue that I'm the objective one here.

STTAB
07-17-2019, 09:34 AM
It was not CNN, that was STAAB thinking he was cute.

STTAB doesn't think he's cute, STTAB actually IS cute.:laugh:

STTAB
07-17-2019, 09:39 AM
Point is, I missed it. I'd have probably been hootin' n- hollerin' about it if I'd caught it. I'm not a politician and I doubt I could play two-faced long with a Turk. I guess I couldn't expect anything other than Trump being diplomatic while being handed some $. Not sure I'd go with the fist bump about it :laugh:

I wouldn't trust myself to get my fist that close to Erdogan's face and not connect. I think I'd forego claiming it was a slip ...:halo9: I most certainly wouldn't forget renaming the street in front of the US Embassy in Turkey after a victory of Turkey's army over a bunch of farmers in Northern Syria. Like I haven't.

Trump's foreign policy is just twilight zone material to me. I don't mean that in a good or bad way. Just means I don't get. He makes no sense from a military/geopolitical view.

I'll say one thing, Trump is in a bind when it comes to the geopolitical/military aspect of things. Being a complete civilian outsider he doesn't really know the ins and outs of what he's dealing with and then on top of that he's got people advising him who have neither his best interest nor the best interest of the US as their top priorities. That asshole John Bolton would have us fighting a war in every country on Earth if he could, and sadly most of Washington DC agrees with him.

I think Trump himself has moved toward the hawk since becoming President.

Kathianne
07-17-2019, 09:40 AM
Gunny a bit of good news, though you can see that the President seems to like Erdogan:

https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2019/07/16/trump-cuts-off-f-35-for-turkey-and-lawmakers-say-sanctions-are-coming/


Lawmakers say Trump is locked into Turkey sanctions 20 hours ago



By: Joe Gould (https://www.defensenews.com/author/joe-gould)and Aaron Mehta (https://www.defensenews.com/author/aaron-mehta)


Updated 4:51 PM with fuller quotes from Trump and Esper

WASHINGTON ― After days of silence about whether Turkey will be punished for accepting a Russian-made air defense system, U.S. President Donald Trump reluctantly seemed to agree Turkey will now be cut off from the F-35.


Though Washington has repeatedly warned that the Russian system, the S-400, is incompatible with NATO systems and is a threat to the F-35, Trump expressed sympathy toward Turkey’s decision. Trump portrayed the Obama administration as refusing to sell Turkey an American alternative, the Patriot missile defense system, until after the S-400 purchase was complete.


“So what happens is we have a situation where Turkey is very good with us, very good, and we are now telling Turkey that because you have really been forced to buy another missile system, we’re not going to sell you the F-35 fighter jets," Trump said. "It’s a very tough situation that they’re in, and it’s a very tough situation that we’ve been placed in, the United States.”


“With all of that being said, we’re working through it, but it’s not really fair,” Trump added. “Because they bought a Russian system, we’re not allowed to sell them billions of aircraft. It’s not a fair situation.”


The administration’s delayed response has fueled speculation Trump was looking to avoid a fight with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom he has sympathized with in the past. And notably, the president did not say whether he would impose sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

...

Gunny
07-17-2019, 05:35 PM
Don't know why Trump likes Erdogan. This decision will just Push Turkey closer to Russia who probably will sell them comparable Russian fighters. Erdogan has to show us and World the US doesn't mean sh*t, while Putin will see an opportunity to get another toe in the door of a country he probably covets in his wildest dreams. Turkey aligning with Russia theoretically gives Putin a land bridge to Iran, the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. He's already got one to the Baltic. Not to mention Iran's oil.

Drummond
07-17-2019, 06:13 PM
Not a lot new here except the continuing effort by the EU to appease the World's largest exporter of Islamic terrorism. The article DOES explain the "deal" in more detail than I have seen in the media. That is the main reason I posted it.

Does Europe learn nothing? One would think turning a blind eye to Hitler and the price tag that came with it might help the thought process.:rolleyes:

https://www.oann.com/britain-sees-small-window-to-save-nuclear-deal-iran-presses-europe-to-act/

I agree that the EU's appeasement tactic towards Iran is mind-numbingly stupid. More, it's downright scary.

Those jokers in Tehran are now working full-pelt towards the capability of having, and deploying as they choose, a nuclear bomb.

I noted just a day ago a news item where Iran said that discussion of its missile program was a big 'no-no'. They won't stand for anything that may impede their ballistic capabilities. Those inclined to appease Iran, thinking it can do any longer-term good ... explain HOW, given that reality !

According to the link I've read ... Jeremy Hunt, currently our Foreign Secretary, and Boris Johnson's opposing candidate to become our future Prime Minister, thinks that Iran being ONE, repeat ONE, year from an offensive nuclear capability .. is something to feel 'good' about ! That it gives us all hope of a decent and enlightened outcome from playing a 'softly-softly' diplomatic game with them.

Unbelievable.

Voting him in as our next Prime Minister would be the equivalent of the UK becoming one big Neville Chamberlain fan club. God help us if Boris loses to him in the next several days.

Oh, and as for Trump liking Erdogan: well, how long will that last ? Let Erdogan turn on Trump in the slightest, and I trust Trump to drop Erdogan like a hot potato.

STTAB
07-18-2019, 09:53 AM
Don't know why Trump likes Erdogan. This decision will just Push Turkey closer to Russia who probably will sell them comparable Russian fighters. Erdogan has to show us and World the US doesn't mean sh*t, while Putin will see an opportunity to get another toe in the door of a country he probably covets in his wildest dreams. Turkey aligning with Russia theoretically gives Putin a land bridge to Iran, the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean. He's already got one to the Baltic. Not to mention Iran's oil.

Russia has not fighters that are comparable to the F35, let's keep that straight.