Tom Barrack’s Mission in Syria Comes to an End

cumhuriyet

Tom Barrack.

Tom Barrack's mission as U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Syria has expired, U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio announced.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move on X, without mentioning who might replace him.

Barrack assumed the role in May 2025, shortly after Washington announced plans to lift major sanctions on Damascus. He took up the position while retaining his post as ambassador to Turkey.

Rubio indicated that Barrack's special envoy title was expiring, hinting that it would not be renewed.

However, he indicated that Barrack would “continue to play a leading role for the Trump administration in both Syria and Iraq, where his expertise, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda will continue to deliver wins on behalf of our great country”.

As special envoy to Syria, Barrack oversaw key elements of Washington’s post-Assad strategy. He helped oversee the easing of sanctions on Damascus and reconstruction efforts alongside Türkiye and Gulf states. He was also involved in counter-ISIS co-operation.

His most significant work included brokering talks between the Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces, while supporting efforts to stabilise the administration of Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa and expand Washington's diplomatic engagement with Damascus after years of isolation.

He was the fourth U.S. special envoy to Syria in the past 12 years, although Washington had a notable absence between January 2021 and March 2025.

The U.S. paused appointing ambassadors to Syria in 2014, at the height of the civil war. The last one was Stephen Ford, who served from December 2011 to February 2014.



PUKMEDIA