comment: >
  
  If there is one single thing the middle east can agree on it's their disdain for the kurds and their desire for independence.
context: This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 88%. (I'm a bot)
  
  
  Washington is using the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets as bait to force Ankara to ratify Sweden's and Finland's NATO membership applications, Bloomberg writes.
  Following last week's protest, Turkey summoned the Swedish ambassador, opened an investigation and canceled a planned visit to Ankara by the speaker of the Swedish parliament.
  The U.S. has warned Turkey that Congress may not approve the plane sale if Ankara does not ratify Sweden's and Finland's NATO bids, a senior Turkish official said on condition of anonymity.
  
  
  Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Sweden^#1 NATO^#2 Turkey^#3 Erdogan^#4 Finland^#5 >
  
  Turkey should not be allowed to compromise NATO security. The US should do more than just hold up weapons sales. >
  
  The US will likely do more, but only if it's necessary. >
  
  The reality is Sweden and Finland already have security assurances from the US and other NATO countries, so in more ways than not they're already in NATO. The US and the rest of NATO have all the time in the world to pressure Turkey to give its vote, there's no real urgency to do it fast.
  Edit: Yes, I get it, Ukraine had security assurances too, Trump didn't uphold previous agreements, blah blah. They're in the European Union which has its own mutual defense agreement and even though it's not in the EU, Norway would absolutely not tolerate Russia invading Sweden or Finland. >
  
  Treaties ratified in the USA are binding on us as Federal law. That I includes NATO. Russia’s nightmare is knowing we WILL react if they hit these places. 
  Get them in NATO. It cripples Russia. >
  
  
  It cripples Russia
  
  Major thing to point out - it will only cripple them if they decide to attack.
  So as long as they don't act like bitchass punks, they're fine. >
  
  Basically, it "cripples" their ability to be a thuggish hegemon in the region. But if they just trade normally and do diplomacy like everyone else, theyd probably be flourishing, if not for all the attendant corruption. >
  
  AKA: Don't act like a cunt, and you won't get fucked. >
  
  Don't start nothin', won't BE nothin'. >
  
  Talk shit, get hit >
  
  What are the odds that Turkey's reluctance is just political posturing from Erdogan ahead of the 2023 general election coming up in June? Not at all familiar with Turkey's political landscape, but it does seem like a plausible explanation for Turkey's stance so far. >
  
  Not quite, Sweden's entry into NATO is protested by most of the political spectrum within Turkey. ( I have seen almost zero opposition to Finland ) 
  Erdoğan is being criticized for failing to extort enough suspects from Sweden.
  As for opposition parties, they are disdained by worsening European relations. I remember the head of the main opposition party saying "This issue should have been resolved behind closed doors." >
  
  Why is Sweden, who's bordered by NATO countries already, protested and not Finland, who borders Russia? >
  
  Their issues are not on behalf of Russia, but the support of kurds in the region