WELL... THIS IS AWKWARD... TURKEY AND THE F-35.
Over the last few years, the Republic of Turkey has presented a bit of conundrum to its NATO allies. Last year, a controversial referendum replaced Turkey's parliamentary government to a presidential system. This greatly increased Turkish president Recap Erdogan's power within the country and paves the way for a full-on dictatorship. Unlike other presidential systems, Turkey lacks the checks and balances to reign in potential abuse . Preceding this was an attempted coup attempt that seems quite suspicious in retrospect . Turkey has also been less-than-helpful when it comes to the conflict in Syria. From inconveniences (like denying the US use of an airbase ) too outright antagonism ( sending its own troops in to confront US-backed Kurds ). To make matters worse, Turkish forces downed a Russian Su-24 when it came uncomfortably close (but not into) Syrian air space. Needless to say, a NATO shooting down a Rus...