The purpose of this study is to examine the potential ideas behind the Swedish arms embargo as well as its lifting towards Turkey. To achieve the aim the theories liberalism and realism within the academic discipline of international relations have been applied. The study is a theory consuming case study that examine and answers the following questions:” How can the ideas and background to the Swedish arms embargo and the lifting of it towards Turkey be explained based on realism and liberalism?” and “Appears either of the theories as more suited than the other to explain the two cases?” The result shows that both theories can explain both Swedish actions and they offer intersecting perspectives. However, liberalism appears to be superior when it comes to explaining the ideas behind the arms embargo and explaining the lifting it’s the other way around. Succinctly, a continued arms trade with Turkey would be against Swedish liberal ideals and an embargo could be a tool for reform. Whereas the lifting occurs in a Europe at war, consequently Sweden must act to secure its own survival and that is to join NATO, and a resumed arms trade with Turkey an alliance member is a requirement.