Trump Announces Barrack’s Appointment as Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq
US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of the American ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, as Presidential Special Envoy to Syria and also as Presidential Special Envoy to Iraq.
Trump added in a post on Truth Social that the move comes “as part of strengthening our strategic cooperation with the governments of Syria and Iraq, and the continued growth of our relationship with them.”
Trump noted that Barrack will continue in his role as ambassador to Turkey and “will work with the full support of the US State Department.”
Earlier, diplomatic sources told al-Mudun that Barrack — whose mandate as Special Envoy to Syria Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced was ending — would be appointed in a new capacity to follow regional affairs. The sources revealed that Barrack would serve as regional coordinator for peace and security in the region, particularly regarding Syria, Iraq, and relations between Turkey and Israel, with a possible renewed involvement in the Lebanese file.
Rubio: Barrack Will Not Step Back from Regional Files
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had formally announced the end of Ambassador Tom Barrack’s mission as Special Envoy to Syria, writing on X that the conclusion of Barrack’s tenure under that title did not mean his departure from regional files, noting that Barrack would continue to play a prominent leadership role within the Trump administration on the Syria and Iraq portfolios. Rubio praised Barrack’s performance during his mandate, describing his contributions as “invaluable” and arguing that his extensive experience, regional relationships, and deep understanding of the America First agenda would remain an important factor in advancing US policy goals and securing diplomatic gains in the region. Rubio offered no additional details on the role Barrack would play in the Syria and Iraq files, nor did he identify who would succeed him.
Supporting Syria
Barrack announced in May 2025, from the Turkish capital Ankara, that he was taking on the role of US Special Envoy to Syria alongside his position as ambassador to Turkey. During his tenure, he led the major shift in American policy toward Syria following the fall of ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which included the lifting of sanctions on Syria and support for stabilisation efforts. He met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on numerous occasions, and announced from Damascus that lifting sanctions on Syria would preserve the United States’ goal of permanently defeating ISIS and give the Syrian people the chance of a better future.
Who Is Tom Barrack?
Barrack is an American businessman and politician of Lebanese origin, considered one of President Trump’s closest associates, and previously held senior positions during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. His relationship with Trump dates to the 1990s, when he sold him a stake in the well-known Alexander’s department store chain, a relationship that developed over the years. When Trump ran for president in the 2024 election and won, he announced his intention to nominate Barrack as US Ambassador to Turkey — an appointment confirmed by the Senate in late April 2025.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.