Turkish American leaders raise CAATSA, F-35 with Sen. Blumenthal

Representatives of the Turkish American community met Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal at a New England Council luncheon, raising U.S. sanctions on Türkiye under CAATSA, the F-35 program and defense cooperation between the NATO allies.

Abdi Akgün, vice president for government and community relations at the Federation of Turkish American Associations (TADF), and Şenay Özbay, a board member of the Turkish American Coalition PAC, attended a New England Council luncheon featuring Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the Connecticut Democrat.

The meeting covered U.S. national security policy, technological developments in the defense industry, artificial intelligence, children’s online safety and strategic relations between the United States and Türkiye.

Sen. Blumenthal speaks at the New England Council luncheon

Defense ties on the agenda

The Turkish American representatives stressed the strategic importance of the two NATO allies and the need to strengthen defense ties, raising the CAATSA sanctions imposed on Türkiye, Türkiye’s status in the F-35 fighter jet program and defense industry cooperation.

Blumenthal, who has represented Connecticut in the Senate since 2011, serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary, Veterans’ Affairs and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees and is the top Democrat on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

TADF Vice President Abdi Akgün speaks with Sen. Blumenthal

Lessons from Ukraine

Speaking at the luncheon, Blumenthal said drones and other unmanned systems are playing an increasingly decisive role in military operations. Pointing to Ukraine’s effective use of low-cost drones, he said the U.S. should speed up military procurement and modernize its defense capabilities for new technologies. The discussion also turned to artificial intelligence and protecting children online.

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