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After finishing his initial term as special envoy for Syria, the American ambassador to Türkiye, Thomas Barrack, was appointed by U.S. President Donald Trump as special envoy for Syria and Iraq. While this decision reaffirms Trump’s trust in Barrack, it also comes with a clear signal to Syria, Israel, and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
It shows that Trump does not intend to reverse his policy on Syria anytime soon. This bodes well for Sharaa, who can effectively manage the fragile transition period in Syria. But more importantly, it shows that Sharaa will remain relatively safe against Israeli policies.
Ambassador Barrack has played a pivotal role in Syria and was an essential figure in shaping U.S. policy toward the country. From managing the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) portfolio to navigating the issue of sanctions, Barrack has been essential in helping the Syrian government achieve success.
After the March 2025 integration deal between Damascus and the SDF, Barrack tried hard to convince the SDF to follow through with the deal. But when SDF's unrealistic analysis led to an impasse, Barrack was crucial in leading the military escalation period in January 2026, steering it into a new integration deal. His efforts prevented the worst from happening.
A similar pattern was observed in the case of sanctions.
Barrack was of critical importance to convince American lawmakers to lift sanctions against Syria and to engage with the new Syrian government under Sharaa. His public and behind-the-scenes diplomacy facilitated the pursuit of international legitimacy for the new Syrian president.
The most important aspect, however, from the perspective of President Sharaa, is the Israeli angle.
It is well known that Israel has been frustrated by Barrack’s policies. His position is completely at odds with what Israel wants to see in Syria. To be more symbolic, Barrack represents everything Israel doesn’t want in Syria: a legitimized Sharaa, the integration of the SDF, and a coordinated Turkish-American approach towards Syria.
Rumors have long circulated in Washington, D.C. about the Israeli lobby's efforts to get Barrack removed from his post. His re-appointment by Trump as a special envoy for Syria signals to Israel and Syria that Trump will not bend down to Israeli pressure. It is also known that Israeli propaganda is working hard to delegitimize the new Syrian government within the U.S.
In short, the appointment of Barrack is basically signaling that Sharaa does not have to worry about international legitimacy. At least for the next year and a half.
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