Fault Lines Episode 612: Engines of Alliance: A Defense Deal for Turkey?

Fault Lines Episode 612: Engines of Alliance: A Defense Deal for Turkey?

June 26, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 612

About this episode

The episode discusses potential defense sales to Turkey by the Trump administration amidst bipartisan opposition in Congress.

Today, Jess, Algene, John, and Andrew discuss reports that the Trump administration is considering major defense sales to Turkey, despite bipartisan opposition in Congress. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia's S-400 air defense system, but as alliance leaders gather in Turkey next month for the NATO Summit, supporters cite its strategic importance to the alliance and recent efforts to distance itself from Moscow. Does Turkey's recent westward drift justify relaxing the restrictions imposed after the S-400 purchase? What are real security risks if Russian-made air defense systems and F-35 engines end up in the same arsenal? Can the administration move forward with major defense sales to Turkey on its own, or does Congress have the authority to block the deal? Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines. @nottvjessjones @algenesajery @johnclipsey @andrewborene Like what we're doing here?  Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.  And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter! We are also on YouTube; watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/f3ux1hHjHFE Hosted on Acast…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jess, Algene, John, Andrew

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trump administration, Congress, NATO

Products: F-35, S-400

Places: Turkey, Russia

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