[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6172712,"mediaKeyId","5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2","parentId",5387295,"title","Envoy: Turkey’s 2016 S‑400 purchase prompted U.S. sanctions; F‑35 and F‑16 talks continue","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",2610000,"endMs",2740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2&start=2610&end=2740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172712/Envoy-Turkeys-2016-S400-purchase-prompted-US-sanctions-F35-and-F16-talks-continue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172712-cb040304128ac8963904106e27328fa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181235&Signature=WJSPqdjC7nch0QfTFBVPpGILYuu1N4LLe9IlHYv3733Zuz1quwJptw26DPBRdoOAJ62SvyaAxo0FLL9uokoFMWLiyCoeYw0fK8CxWX2zxRkIggZnI~rAolIm0sV5skkWio-~ptvedG56nL9lJoX4mIx3YRelfwpdD6TBJ5Xoy5vUQSv5x0rj9k8l1ejPimz3wsEhOlNtBuRue0-18zKLKOSLi26RN5fN1WKtCoD32trVwQFmgMbZlyZBbMmP18PSm-Fi4~TuUNcSmHcj8uO1JMwG1iN3ZYWXBZ92M5dT5ju9X3X4B5kIvQ01m6fM4DXHjMz9lgAWjNE0i70o5tqWdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-14T14:29:56Z","article","Ambassador Thomas Barak described the long‑running U.S. dispute with Turkey over defense purchases, saying the 2016 attempted coup and Ankara’s subsequent purchase of a Russian S‑400 air‑defense system prompted congressional sanctions and halted Turkey’s participation in the F‑35 program.

Barak recounted that after the coup attempt in 2016 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sought stronger internal protection and purchased the S‑400. “Congress came back and said, you can’t do that,” Barak said, describing follow‑on action that removed Turkey from parts of the F‑35 program and paused F‑16 modernization work. He said the restrictions led Turkey to invest heavily in indigenous drone production, and that Turkish Bayraktar TB2‑type drones have been prominent in recent conflicts.

Barak said negotiations are ongoing to “turn back on the clock” for some elements of defense cooperation, but added that F‑35 decisions require separate congressional approval from discussions about F‑16 upgrades and Patriot missile sales. “Those discussions are going on simultaneously,” he said, noting Turkey has been cooperative on Ukraine and other regional issues despite past tensions.

Why it matters: Turkey is a major NATO ally whose defense procurement choices have bilateral and alliance implications. Barak said improved ties have helped U.S. diplomacy on Ukraine and Gaza, and that restoration of deeper defense ties depends on congressional approval and technical issues tied to sophisticated avionics.

Ending: Barak expressed cautious optimism that ongoing talks could produce closer cooperation while noting the negotiations span multiple systems and political authorities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Briefing on Strengthening U.S.-Türkiye Relations and Advancing Relations with Syria","oneSentenceSummary","Ambassador Barak recounted the origins of U.S. restrictions on Turkey’s F‑35 participation after Ankara purchased Russia’s S‑400 system following the 2016 coup attempt, and said negotiations are ongoing to restore broader defense cooperation.","taxTitle","US Department of State","taxId",9719,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6172717,"U.S. envoy: Hezbollah would need Lebanese government mandate, collection plan and funding to disarm",1196,878000,2074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2&start=878&end=2074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2/thumbnail_878000.jpg","/articles/6172717/US-envoy-Hezbollah-would-need-Lebanese-government-mandate-collection-plan-and-funding-to-disarm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172717-c553d8ecc0ec39b567f9027a96a29bc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181235&Signature=KQsx9tlcRkRBptC65RlZMLC7Y4iHO61RHwyFjsQQkpt8uKw8FpGmo9qnHZj-yMPC2dhHXYtgECP3K97jOLLunCMmED5Nc2oEIbnH3YCYFss3SF0ezXI0183ptNh7MAaezPzROqqAZBldrHd8y~77MCB48ySeM3aYFaDnr0XLfhxeyyo4R6ghHOo5ILmD04~fsKmO-gr6hJJfIaw-PuLjlagxWFMcUdJF~Xe4KTmrobN5T1XI8oVALL9K1hzDSjSQuq-A~9X-KY5bLi-fbqD~apaOcxKpWCaOStbHZm1NL6Z5AddtjzZIpgZf2EuEnaNq073tiZQ1~eRSYuxhY-a6DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ambassador Thomas Barak said the process of disarming Hezbollah would begin with Lebanese authorities and require multiple coordinated steps — a political mandate from Lebanon’s council of ministers, agreement by Hezbollah’s political leaders, a plan for secure collection of heavy weapons and outside funding to rebuild affected areas.

“The process of Hezbollah putting their arms down starts with the Lebanese government process. They have to, and the council of ministers have to, authorize that mandate and that act, and Hezbollah itself, the political party, has to agree to them,” Barak told reporters.

Barak said the Lebanese Armed Forces would need resources and a mandate to collect stored weapons without prompting renewed civil conflict. He noted past constraints on Lebanon’s security services and money shortages for the military, saying those limits must be addressed for any disarmament plan to succeed.

On incentives, Barak described a package of reconstruction funding and development “carrots” for southern Lebanon to accompany security arrangements, and he said Gulf states — including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — were prepared to help finance restoration if stability could be achieved. He cited the need for local economic projects, electricity and water restoration as components of a plan B to reduce the Shia community’s dependence on armed groups.

Barak also described a mediation mechanism that involves the Lebanese Armed Forces, a U.N. operation (UNIFIL) and a separate “mechanism” used to manage incidents along the Israel‑Lebanon line without triggering broader hostilities. He said returning heavy weapons stored in homes and garages will require careful sequencing so civilian collection does not set off new violence.

Why it matters: Barak emphasized that disarmament is not a unilateral U.S. decision and that Lebanese institutions, agreement by Hezbollah’s political wing and external funding all must align. “You need the military to be able to go collect them. The problem is we haven’t had any money to pay the military,” he said.

Ending: Barak said the administration’s initiative offers a “path” but warned the window of international patience is limited, and that Lebanon must “get out of their own way” to seize external assistance.","Ambassador Barak said disarming Hezbollah would require authorization by Lebanon’s council of ministers, cooperation from Hezbollah’s political leadership, payment and capability for the Lebanese Armed Forces to collect weapons, and a funded redevelopment plan.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":56,"_72":56,"_73":56},6172721,"U.S. envoy: lifting Syria sanctions was meant to \"give them a chance,\" but U.N. limits remain",2139,248000,2387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2&start=248&end=2387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5387295-d8ff1fc4b3ca1f4a31be02d9b82811c2/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6172721/US-envoy-lifting-Syria-sanctions-was-meant-to-give-them-a-chance-but-UN-limits-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172721-211c433eac9ec75c881d44d891f1ed0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181235&Signature=TB9Gz9hxF7lTv38Jfz4olkPqoWEJmlD~2OM~Ho8jmUrOjUl5WZfgzo1fJvSjJXNUvKzb39TtvZ5F4MC4zj2AlCO25azTBB7sUQiNm1xU93dm2gx7e5mjv~Vf~LRERsvSOsH-2VPug7NhWSy52UFGQW6QH7P-iG42sZlM3wc9WfGTZrtheHp8GpeUYaNUaHJI8lRGVUnrPZgwq6OQs4DFFK91ClTICCIkZei3dIwQG2afr2WQQOP01WXifMxXHybEnePPbvUxA1wqGKeDdaTdmnHqUGVoHqwLCaMh8WDH8jB9xNmzqZIA8JYSBLgdES4Dw~aMjSSw00YvB1AUcoQBPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ambassador Thomas Barak, the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Turkey and U.S. special envoy for Syria, said the Trump administration lifted unilateral U.S. sanctions on Syria on May 13 to “give them a chance,” but stressed that other layers of restrictions — including United Nations Security Council measures — remain and could be lifted only in pieces.

Barak told reporters at the New York Foreign Press Center that the administration’s aim was not nation‑building but to create space for Syria to transition away from an ISIS counter‑insurgency footing toward a “clean canvas” where regional normalization could be tested. “The president’s main message in taking sanctions off on May 13 was give them a chance. You can’t give them the chance if they’re shackled,” he said.

Why it matters: Barak framed the moves as a calculated opening that could be reversed if Damascus fails to meet international expectations. He said some U.N. Security Council members want to see clearer progress on minority rights, integration of foreign fighters and steps on constitution drafting before broader sanctions relief is granted.

Barak cited concerns about an estimated 20,000–25,000 foreign fighters and said the international community is watching how the Syrian government handles their return and integration. He added that the U.S. expects the Syrian government to remain a single, unified state rather than accept a federal model with separate armed forces for sectarian or ethnic enclaves.

On ties between Syria and Israel, Barak said the U.S. has encouraged discussions that point toward the logic of broader regional normalization embodied by the Abraham Accords, though he emphasized any progress will be incremental. “One of [Secretary Rubio’s] conditions was the Abraham Accords — not signing them overnight, but pointing in that direction,” Barak said, adding that normalization would also implicate Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.

Barak acknowledged that the diplomatic and sanctions processes are layered. “Bilateral sanctions the president of the United States unilaterally lifted them, which doesn’t mean they’re gone,” he said, noting some sanctions are temporary, others permanent, and that congressional and U.N. actions operate on different timetables.

Discussion vs. decision: Barak described U.S. action as unilateral executive relief, not a multilateral removal of all restrictions, and said sanctions can be reimposed if Damascus backslides. He framed the policy as an opening that leaves leverage for the U.N. and Security Council to press for benchmarks on minority protections and foreign fighters.

Ending: Barak called the period an “experiment” and said it is too early to judge outcomes: “It’s an experiment, and we’re at the very beginning,” he said. He added that world partners — and developments on the ground — will determine whether the move produces durable political and security gains.","Ambassador Thomas Barak said the U.S. removed certain unilateral sanctions on Syria on May 13 to allow the new Damascus government breathing room, while U.N. and Security Council restrictions and conditions on minority rights and foreign fighters remain in play.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Envoy: Turkey’s 2016 S‑400 purchase prompted U.S. sanctions; F‑35 and F‑16 talks continue

U.S. envoy: Hezbollah would need Lebanese government mandate, collection plan and funding to disarm

U.S. envoy: lifting Syria sanctions was meant to "give them a chance," but U.N. limits remain