US puts request for bigger Turkish air role on hold over Russia tensions
WASHINGTON - Since Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet last week, the United States has quietly put on hold a long-standing request for its NATO ally to play a more active role in the US-led air war against Islamic State.
The move, disclosed to Reuters by a US official, is aimed at allowing just enough time for heightened Turkey-Russia tensions to ease. Turkey has not flown any coalition air missions in Syria against Islamic State since the Nov. 24 incident, two US officials said.
