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In a recent column, prominent Turkish columnist Abdulkadir Selvi suggested that the U.S. may lift CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye, following the recent removal of American sanctions on Syria. The shift, he writes, reflects evolving geopolitical dynamics and stronger ties between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Selvi, writing for Hurriyet, emphasized that Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria was made at Erdogan’s request. He believes this move may be a signal that Türkiye’s CAATSA sanctions, imposed over the purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems, could also be reconsidered.
“Trump lifted sanctions on Syria because Erdogan asked him to,” Selvi wrote, underlining the weight of personal diplomacy.
The CAATSA sanctions, enacted during Trump’s previous term, had a major impact on Türkiye’s defense industry, most notably resulting in its exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program. Selvi notes that Ankara is working to reverse these penalties and is cautiously optimistic about progress.
According to him, Erdogan is expected to raise the issue during an upcoming visit to Washington, where a possible meeting with Trump could be pivotal.
Selvi also highlights the broader significance of the U.S. and European Union lifting sanctions on Syria. Soon after, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara visited Türkiye and met with Erdogan—a development Selvi calls the beginning of a new diplomatic era.
Notably, Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin joined the meeting, signaling a focus on regional security cooperation.
Selvi reports that the Erdogan–Shara talks covered the following topics:
Selvi credits Erdogan with playing a central role in shaping this new framework and facilitating Syria’s re-engagement with both the Arab world and the West.
Selvi highlights Trump’s past praise of Erdogan and their cooperation on key issues, including Syria and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He believes this relationship could lead to a rapid improvement in Türkiye–U.S. ties.
“The lifting of CAATSA sanctions could mark a turning point,” Selvi wrote, “reflecting broader cooperation between Türkiye, the U.S., and Syria.”
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