Tom Barrack

'Arrogance of a cowboy': US envoy slammed for off-the-cuff remark in Lebanon

As ambassador to Turkey and envoy to Syria, Barrack has not usually caused offense, though his role on Syria policy has led to some controversy among those who support the US-backed SDF.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and U.S. special envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (not pictured) at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 26, 2025.
 Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack as they are flanked by Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shibani in Istanbul, Turkey, May 24, 2025.

US lawmakers Shaheen, Wilson return to Syria for continued talks with Sharaa

Lebanon's Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem appears on a screen as people gather to watch the public funeral ceremony of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes last year, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon February 23, 2025.

Lebanon to draft plan for Hezbollah disarmament on Sunday, US envoy says

US special envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus arrive to meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in Beirut, Lebanon, August 18, 2025

US envoys Barrack, Ortagus in Israel for talks on Syria and Lebanon


Israel demands Lebanon buffer zone, agrees to tone down Hezbollah strikes - report

Israel reportedly insisted that several villages on the border remain without residents and act as a buffer zone, which countered Tom Barrack's proposals.

 IDF troops operate in southern Lebanon. January 23, 2025.

Druze spiritual leader meets with US envoy to Syria and Lebanon in Paris

Sheikh Tarif requested that the United States work to fully implement the ceasefire agreement in a complete and immediate manner in the Druze Mountain region of Syria.

People hold a Druze flag, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, Syria July 25, 2025.

Lebanon approves US-backed Hezbollah disarmament proposal

The plan sets out the most detailed steps yet for disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has rejected mounting calls to disarm since last year's war with Israel.

 A man reacts as people gather near the burial site of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Israel airstrikes last year, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon February 23, 2025.

Lebanon's cabinet meets to discuss Hezbollah's arms after US pressure

Pressure from the US and Hezbollah's domestic rivals for the group to relinquish its arms has spiked following last year's war with Israel.

 (Illustrative) Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, hold up weapons as they rally to show support to Palestinians and Lebanon's Hezbollah in Sanaa, Yemen November 8, 2024.

Lebanon can’t get past talk of Hezbollah disarmament - analysis

"The government and Hezbollah need to fully commit and act now in order to not consign the Lebanese people to the stumbling status quo," Barrack wrote.

 US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011.

SDF leader meets French foreign minister as Paris prepares Syria negotiations - analysis

French foreign minister reaches out to Syrian Democratic Forces as Paris also juggles discussions with Turkey and Israel regarding key issues in Syria.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, attends an interview with Reuters in al-Shadadi, Syria June 13, 2025.

Syrian, Israeli officials discuss de-escalation in Paris meeting, US envoy says

"Our goal was dialog and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that," Barrack said in a statement on social media website X.

 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, July 16, 2025.

Israel's Dermer to meet Syrian FM, US envoy Barrack in Paris to discuss southern Syria

Dermer will also discuss the upcoming Iranian nuclear negotiations with European officials, ahead of the talks between European nations and Iran that will take place in Istanbul.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer; illustrative.

US warns Syria's Sharaa that 'there is no plan B for his government'

US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack warned Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa that the country needs to recalibrate its policies, pointing out there is "no plan B."

 Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria March 10, 2025.

US tries to claw back influence in Middle East after crisis in Syria - analysis

US Special Envoy to Syria Ambassador Thomas J. Barrack has been under a spotlight in the last two weeks as US policy continues to face challenges.

 US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011.