(SeaPRwire) – By: Julian Holbrooke
Donald Trump’s public embrace of Recep Tayyip Erdogan isn’t just bromance. It’s a calculated jab at Benjamin Netanyahu, driven by political survival rather than alliance loyalty. The F-35 talk, sanctions relief, and glowing praise for Türkiye are all pawns in a game that threatens to upend Israel’s decades-long privileged status in U.S. Middle East policy. Netanyahu sees this clearly—and he’s panicking.
Official statements paint a picture of restored U.S.-Türkiye ties. At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump announced he’d lift sanctions imposed over Türkiye’s S-400 purchase, calling the relationship “better than ever.” He floated a review of F-35 sales, a door thought closed for years. Behind the scenes, his team pushes a $700 million General Electric engine deal for Türkiye’s KAAN fifth-generation fighter. But the real intent isn’t about friendship. Trump needs Türkiye’s leverage over Hamas to lock down a Gaza ceasefire, a key campaign promise. The engine sale is a loophole—no congressional fights needed, unlike F-35s. He also uses Türkiye to snub European NATO allies, whom he accuses of treating the U.S. poorly during the Iran war.
Netanyahu’s public warnings about regional balance of power mask deeper fears. He told Fox News Türkiye shouldn’t get F-35s or engines, calling Erdogan’s regime “infected by Muslim Brotherhood ideology.” Ankara fired back, labeling his claims a disinformation campaign to distract from Gaza. But Netanyahu’s real worry is Türkiye’s growing regional clout. Ankara’s role in mediating Gaza’s ceasefire cements its status as a leading Sunni power. Israel fears Washington will hand Türkiye a seat at the Palestinian governance table—something it’s been shut out of for years. Adding fuel to the fire: Trump’s frustration with the Iran war. Pew Research says 61% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the conflict, and 40% think it made the U.S. less safe. Trump blames Netanyahu’s Lebanon operations for derailing peace talks, even calling him “crazy” in a heated call.
The geopolitical pendulum is shifting, but a full U.S. pivot to Türkiye isn’t imminent. Congress still blocks F-35 sales while Türkiye holds the S-400. But Israel can no longer take unconditional U.S. support for granted. Trump’s political calculus will keep pushing him closer to Ankara, and Netanyahu will have to fight harder to protect his country’s regional edge.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, an overseas international relations analyst who frequently contributes to major European daily newspapers.