Tom Barrack

The illusion of change in Iraq: Baghdad's militia shake-up masks a deeper Iranian strategy

BEHIND THE LINES: The decision by Zaidan’s allies to integrate their armed elements into state security forces represents an effort by a pro-Iranian element to consolidate its power.

Qais al-Khazali, head of the Iranian-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia in Iraq, speaks during a rally last year in Baghdad to present the Sadiqoon Movement ahead of parliamentary elections.
 US ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with US President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on September 25, 2025 in Washington.

Trump consolidates Middle East policy by appointing Special Envoy Barrack to Iraq, Syria - analysis

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York, US, September 24, 2025.

Trump, Sharaa hold phone call, discuss lifting sanctions, importance of 'prioritizing diplomacy'

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Ankara, last April. Ankara is quietly assembling the architecture of permanent regional power, the writer says.

Turkey eyes post-Iran Middle East as regional order shifts - analysis


Donald Trump reimagines Israel's border with Syria, from buffer zones to bunny slopes

DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS: Trump envisions turning Mount Hermon into a ski resort as part of his new peace plan, blending security with economic cooperation for Israel and Syria.

‘AN INTERIM agreement that could one day make it possible to sip hot chocolate in a lodge at the base of a bunny hill on the Syrian half of Mount Hermon is something that may be within reach.’ Here, the first snow this winter hits Mount Hermon in Syria, as seen from the northern Golan Heights, near

Syrian Army to strike Aleppo as Kurdish forces reject evacuation after ceasefire announcement

A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo by Syria's Defense Ministry after clashes with Kurdish forces, with Damascus claiming it will "escort departing militants" to northeastern Syria.

Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior stand guard in the Ashrafieh neighbourhood, which they have taken control of, according to the Interior Ministry, following battles with the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 9, 2026.

US advancing Israeli-Syrian ski resort project on Mount Hermon, sources tell 'Post'

The United States is promoting an Israeli-Syrian initiative for a joint ski resort on Mount Hermon, alongside talks on broader civilian cooperation between Jerusalem and Damascus.

Mount Hermon's ski slopes, pictured on December 30, 2025.

US envoy Tom Barrack hails new Israel, Syria agreement as 'breakthrough' - interview

“The new Syrian government harbors no hostile intentions toward Israel, and seeks a relationship based on respect and coexistence," The American envoy told The Post.

 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Istanbul, Turkey, May 24, 2025.

Israeli-Syrian meeting to be held over next two days, source tells 'Post'

Senior Israeli and Syrian officials will meet Monday and Tuesday in US-mediated talks led by envoy Tom Barrack, the first such meetings since President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington.

 (L-R) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the backdrop of Syrian and Israeli flags (illustrative)

Netanyahu, US envoy Barrack meet in Israel for talks on Syria security deal

According to a source who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, the meeting was set to focus on Syria, define Israel’s red lines, and find ways to ensure they are not crossed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US ambassador to Turkey and Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, meet in Jerualem, Israel. December 15, 2025.

Trump envoy Tom Barrack to visit Israel for Syria talks

US envoy Tom Barrack will meet Israeli leaders to discuss Syria, align security interests, and address US concerns over recent Israeli activity on Syrian territory.

US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack speaks during a press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, in Damascus, Syria September 16, 2025.

US envoy Tom Barrack to visit Israel, meet Netanyahu in coming days, source tells 'Post'

Tom Barrack, Trump's envoy to Turkey and Syria, will arrive in Israel soon for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials.

US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack at a press conference in Damascus, September 16, 2025; illustrative.

US envoy Barrack: Syria uninterested in aggression, Israel must seize the moment - interview

“After October 7, Israel doesn’t trust anyone,” Barrack declared. “That’s why we’ve offered to serve as a peacekeeping force. Verification replaces trust.”

Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and US President Donald Trump's envoy to Syria, speaks at The Jerusalem Post conference in Washington DC, December 10, 2025.

Israel is not a democracy, US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack suggests at Doha Forum

"In this region, what's worked the best, whether you like it or you do not like it, is a benevolent monarchy," Barrack said.

Amb. Tom Barrack, US Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, US Department of State, speaks during the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit on September 24, 2025 in New York City.