Peloni: The dominant role which Trump placed in Tom Barrack hands when he raised him to such a prominent position in the Middle East has always belied a serious warning sign for Trump’s Middle East policy. Turkey is an expansionist power, and has taken advantage of Trump’s pro Turkey posture on two occasions to expand its acquisitions. The first was in 2018 and the second was over the past year, but both occasions relate to Turkey’s rising expansion in Syria. This, however, is not the limit of his expansionist aims, even as he now has control over part of Crete and is looking to increase his control in Libya.
Barack plays a key role as US ambassador to Turkey, Special Envoy to Syria, and one of the key figures in American policy in the Levant, while also keeping constant dialogues with Gulf state actors.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN | FEBRUARY 11, 2026 16:22
Tom Barrack met with Ahmed al-Sharaa. Photo by Ambassador Tom Barrack – X, Public Domain, Wikipedia
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who is also the ambassador to Turkey, is playing a key role in US policy in the northern Levant.
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