Sanctions on Turkey

Why in news?

U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey for purchasing S-400 missile defence system from Russia.

Why U.S. imposed sanctions?

• Sanctions are imposed to discourage third countries from buying weapons from Russia.
• These sanctions are based on Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act which was passed in 2017.
• But it said that sanctions will not be invoked if Turkey did not activate the system.
• Earlier, the U.S. had suspended Turkey from its F-35 fighter jet programme.

How has Turkey responded to this action?

• Its President said that these sanction is an attack on the country’s sovereignty.
• In October, Turkey test-fired the system & will do so in future.
• Earlier, India ordered S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
• India will face similar actions from U.S., as U.S. refused to grant sanctions waiver to India.

What will be the repercussions on U.S.-Turkey relation?

• From a geopolitical point of view, U.S.’s actions will drive Turkey towards Russia.
• Though both Turkey &Russia have disagreements in Syria, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh crises.
• There will a paradigm shift in Ankara’s strategic thinking.

Whether these sanctions are acceptable in the changing global order?

• Every country buys defence systems based on its requirements and security challenges.
• Turkey, China & India rising ambitious powers facing alarming security challenges & opted for S-400.
• This sanction by U.S. is considered as transborder bullying.
• Deployment of S-400 by Russia in Syria & in Arctic Circle is seen as a highly advanced aerial shield.

• The U.S.-Turkey tensions, dispute between Greece-Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean region reflects cracks in NATO.
• The 1990s unilateralism has already paved the way for a new multilateralism.
• U.S. should no longer dictate its wishes on rising powers.
• It should take a broader view of the changes that are occurring in the global order.

Source: The Hindu