The Secretary of State relieve him of his duties and Trump reappoint him… Trump reappoints Tom Barrack as Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq
The US President Donald Trump announced the expansion of the powers of his ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, making him a special presidential envoy overseeing both the Syria and Iraq.
According to a post Trump shared on Truth Social, this decision aims to strengthen strategic cooperation and advance the growing relationship with the governments of both countries.
This new integration of the two countries coincides with Barrack retaining his position as ambassador in Ankara and receiving direct political backing from the US State Department.
The appointment aims to strengthen strategic cooperation, according to Trump, as this move comes within the framework of enhancing strategic cooperation with the governments of Syria and Iraq and continuing the growth of US relations with them.
It appears that the US administration seeks, through this appointment, to unify diplomatic efforts regarding these two neighboring countries, which constitute a crucial axis in Washington’s Middle East policy.
It’s worth mentioning, that Marco Rubio, has announced relieving Barrack, before Trump reappoint him and add Iraq to his portfolio besides Syria.
The US Secretary of State officially announced the end of Barrack’s mission as Special Envoy to Syria only (excluding Iraq).
However, Rubio clarified in a post on X, “the end of Barrack’s mission under this title doesn’t mean his withdrawal from the region’s issues”.
He indicated that Barrack will continue to play a prominent leadership role within the Trump administration on both the Syria and Iraq.
Rubio praised Barrack’s past contributions, describing them as “invaluable,” and said that his extensive experience, regional connections, and deep understanding of the “America First” agenda would remain an important factor in supporting US policy goals and achieving diplomatic gains in the region.
According to informed diplomatic sources, Tom Barrack’s new responsibilities won’t be limited to Syria and Iraq, as he’s expected to serve as a regional coordinator for peace and security affairs in the region, with a particular focus on relations between Türkiye and Israel.
The sources indicated that he may also return to be involved with the Lebanese issue as well, in a role that could be broader and more profound than simply a bilateral envoy.
