Zeynep Aziz
The United States announced sanctions on 14 December against Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries and several officials under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
What happened
Washington said Turkey’s purchase and testing of the Russian S-400 air-defence system created security and intelligence risks for NATO technology. Ankara rejected the sanctions as unjust and defended the acquisition.
Why it mattered
It was the first use of CAATSA sanctions against a NATO ally. The measures included restrictions on licences, financing and certain officials rather than broad economic penalties.
Consequences
The decision deepened a long-running alliance dispute that had already led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter programme.
