Episode #098: S-400 Days of Summer (feat. Jack Detsch & Semih Idiz)

Relations between Turkey and the United States have seen better days, and the partnership is being tested once again with conflicting arms deals. The Turkish military has decided to buy both American-made F-35 fighter jets and Russian-made S-400 missile systems. What’s so special about these jets and missiles, and why is this a big deal? Phil and Cooper answer these questions and speak with the experts at Al-Monitor to get more insight. Turkey exerts its own leverage in F-35 jet standoff with US (Metin Gurcan) Can US convince Turkey to undo ‘done deal’ with Russia? (Metin Gurcan) As Turkey drifts away from the US, will Russia give it what it wants? (Semih Idiz) Is Erdogan’s trust in Trump in the S-400/F-35 standoff misplaced? (Semih Idiz) Why Turkey’s reliance on Trump for S-400 sanctions waiver appears misguided (Jack Detsch) Intel: How the US, Turkey got into standoff over Russia’s S-400 air defense system (Jack Detsch)   Extra Listening: Episode #2, Back Up in Ya A** With the Referendum (4/19/2017): President Erdogan furthers his grip on power with a constitutional referendum. Episode #6, The Ottoman Empire Strikes Back (5/17/2017): A look into Erdogan’s paranoia over Fetullah Gulen and his purported role in the 2016 Turkey coup d’etat. Episode #39, The Road to Rojava (2/1/2018): Turkey begins a military operation to remove the Kurds from northern Syria. Episode #64, The Sound of Sanctions (8/10/2018): President Trump puts sanctions on Turkey. Episode #65, The Brunson Ultimatum (8/15/2018): Tensions rise between the US and Turkey over the imprisonment of American pastor Andrew Brunson Music: Sakin – “Denek Hayatım” (Spotify | Apple Music)