Barr trying at Trump’s behest to prevent the prosecution of Halkbank is news. And Berman didn’t get his way for nearly 2 years during which Erdogan lobbied Trump. They were only charged (right) after Turkey embarrassed Trump by invading Syria, ie once the politics changed.
Turkey invaded Syria on 10/9/19. Trump, pilloried for giving Erdogan the okay and abandoning Kurds, reversed and threatened to “destroy” Turkey’s economy on 10/14. Halkbank was indicted on 10/16. The timing makes the charges look like punishment. reuters.com/article/us-usa… 
It appears that the two year failure to indict Halkbank AND the eventual indictment was political, with the key factor being Trump’s relationship with Erdogan. Friendly = protection. Mad = indict. The idea that USDNY just eventually overcame Barr’s meddling isn’t convincing.
