Tom Barrack

Israel's Syria strike risked scrambling Turkish jets, military escalation, US envoy tells 'Post'

US envoy Tom Barrack warned that Israel's strike on Abu al-Duhur airbase, near Idlib, Syria, could have led to a rapid escalation into a direct military confrontation, possibly including Turkey.

US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026.
 US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011.

US working to establish Israel-Turkey-Syria deconfliction mechanism after Israeli strikes

Abu al-Duhur base is seen following reported Israeli strikes, Syria, August 18, 2026

Israel confirms strikes on Syria's Idlib airbase after US envoy condemns attack

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack in Baghdad, Iraq, June 16, 2026.

US envoy Barrack meets Iraq PM, pushes new direction in bilateral ties


'Hezbollah rebuilding faster than Lebanese Army dismantling,' Western intel. officials tell 'Post'

Western officials warn Hezbollah’s rapid rearmament could trigger Israeli action if Lebanon fails to act.

Supporters of Lebanon's Hezbollah block the streets with burning tires as they rally in cars and motorbikes to protest the government's endorsement of a plan to disarm it, in Beirut's southern suburbs early on August 8, 2025

Syria, Lebanon key to next phase of Middle East peace, says US Ambassador Tom Barrack - analysis

US Ambassador Tom Barrack recently argue that the Gaza peace deal will be remembered as "a defining moment in modern Middle Eastern diplomacy." How can that affect Lebanon's stability?

 An illustrative image of a Hezbollah flag in the backdrop of an individual holding a weapon.

Turkey vs Iran: The endless struggle holding the Middle East hostage - opinion

Turkey views its former territories in the Fertile Crescent as a natural strategic extension of its national security, and Iran’s growing influence on its southern border is an absolute red line.

 Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in Tehran, Iran September 3, 2023.

Sweida’s crisis and the quiet path to a Syria-Israel security deal - opinion

The US is playing a mediating role in the Syria-Israel security discussions, and is also deeply involved in the agreement known as the 'Sweida roadmap,' publicly announced in Damascus.

People stand next to a destroyed tank turret, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Tom Barrack’s diplomacy of optics: Fast deals, fragile peace - opinion

Tom Barrack’s high-speed diplomacy in Syria and Lebanon backfired, fueling instability, alienating allies and deepening mistrust across the region.

US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack listens to a question during a joint press conference following his meeting with Lebanon's president at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on August 18, 2025.

Syria, Israel near 'de-escalation' pact, US envoy says

Syria and Israel are in talks to reach an agreement that Damascus hopes will secure a halt to Israeli airstrikes and the withdrawal of Israeli troops who have pushed into southern Syria.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and U.S. special envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 26, 2025.

Syrian foreign minister to discuss lifting of US sanctions in Washington this week, Axios reports

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is due to meet US lawmakers in Washington to discuss lifting sanctions and advancing a security deal with Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham was cited as saying.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, August 12, 2025.

Syrian leader says talks with Israel underway on disengagement agreement

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’a said talks with Israel aim to restore the 1974 disengagement terms, as Damascus balances outreach to the US, Russia, and regional states.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with a map of the Middle East (Illustrative).

Pentagon approves security assistance package for Lebanon worth $14.2 million

The Pentagon approved a package that will aid the Lebanese Armed Forces's disarmament of Hezbollah

Lebanon's Hezbollah members hold party flags as they listen to their leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addressing his supporters via a screen during a rally marking the anniversary of the defeat of militants near the Lebanese-Syrian border, in al-Ain village, Lebanon August 25, 2019.

'Arrogance of a cowboy': US envoy slammed for off-the-cuff remark in Lebanon

As ambassador to Turkey and envoy to Syria, Barrack has not usually caused offense, though his role on Syria policy has led to some controversy among those who support the US-backed SDF.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and U.S. special envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 26, 2025.