The qualitative advantage

The US government has chosen a peculiar way to handle the triangular agreement with Greece and Turkey for the sale of F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. And now it will have to manage Ankara, which does not accept that the deal contains any guarantees or commitments on its part. Athens preferred, and rightly so, a more transparent and straightforward handling, but it can rely on the assurances of members of Congress who know what the State Department has told them.

Part of the agreement, which was the product of long negotiations, was the assurance to Greece that it will have a "qualitative advantage" in the supply of American armaments in relation to Turkey. This is ensured, at the moment, as long as Greece acquires F-35s without the same happening for Turkey. However, it is not at all certain whether it will apply in the event that there is a change in Ankara's position on the...