Tom Barrack takes over as US Special Envoy to Syria after Trump promise to lift sanctions

Tom Barrack, the United States Ambassador to Türkiye, announced on May 23 that he has assumed the role of special envoy to Syria, as the Trump administration moves decisively to lift long-standing sanctions on the war-torn country.

 

In a statement posted on X, Barrack said he would support Secretary of State Marco Rubio in implementing President Donald Trump’s recent commitment to unwind punitive measures against Syria. "As President Trump’s representative in Türkiye, I am proud to take on the role of US Special Envoy for Syria and assist Secretary Rubio in realising the President’s vision," Barrack wrote.

 

Barrack, a private equity investor and long-time Trump confidant who chaired the 2016 Presidential Inaugural Committee, was expected to take on the Syria envoy post. His appointment signals a significant policy shift, reflecting Washington’s recognition of Türkiye’s increased regional influence in the aftermath of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting by rebel forces last year.

 

President Trump met Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia on May 14, urging the normalisation of diplomatic ties with Israel. Barrack later attended a high-level US-Turkish meeting in Washington, where sanctions relief and counter-terrorism strategies were on the agenda. 

 

Lifting sanctions, Barrack argued, would enable humanitarian agencies to re-enter Syria and encourage foreign trade and investment critical to the country’s reconstruction. "Ending sanctions will safeguard our main goal, the enduring defeat of Islamic State, and give Syrians a genuine chance to rebuild," he said.

 

On May 24, Barrack met President al-Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Istanbul. "Today’s discussions with President al-Sharaa marked the beginning of a bold new chapter for Syria," Barrack stated, highlighting the recent waiver of Caesar Act sanctions for 180 days and the Treasury’s introduction of General Licence 25.

 

Barrack reaffirmed US support for Syria’s post-war recovery and emphasised Trump’s wider aims: from counter-terrorism to regional diplomacy and improved conditions in detention centres in north-east Syria. He praised the Syrian leadership’s early steps towards achieving these goals.

 

Both sides pledged to continue discussions and explore private-sector investment opportunities, with potential backing from Türkiye, the Gulf states, Europe and the US. Barrack concluded the meeting by declaring it “historic”, symbolising a decisive break from the past and the launch of “a new, open Syria free from sanctions”.

Middle East