US Ambassador Barrack has a unique position, balancing work in Syria, Turkey, Iraq - analysis

US Ambassador Tom Barrack occupies a distinctive role, simultaneously serving as the ambassador to Turkey and the US Envoy to Iraq and Syria. This multifaceted position places him at the nexus of American policy in the volatile Middle East, a situation recently underscored by a crisis between Turkey and Israel concerning Syria policy.

Barrack's proximity to former US President Donald Trump positions him within a broader "global Trump doctrine" characterized by personal diplomacy and unconventional thinking. The Trump administration's approach to Syria policy, for instance, involved quickly embracing the new Syrian government after the fall of the Assad regime, a move met with skepticism and hostility from Jerusalem. While Trump reportedly found common ground with the new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Israeli officials issued threats and labeled him a "terrorist in a suit."

Israel pursued its own strategies, backing groups like the Druze and considering support for the Kurds and Alawites, while also seizing border areas and Mount Hermon. Despite initial contacts and a trilateral meeting in January 2026 facilitated by the Trump administration, tensions between Israel and Syria, and consequently between Israel and Turkey over Syria, persisted.

Barrack has become increasingly vocal following recent Israeli airstrikes in northern Syria. His past year of work in Syria has involved behind-the-scenes efforts, including praising energy deals and aiding the integration of US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces into the new government's security apparatus. He has also likely guided US policy in Iraq, focusing on disarming Iranian-backed militias and supporting Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi. Despite the complexities, Barrack navigates these sensitive policies with careful discretion.