US to Appoint Turkey Envoy Thomas Barrack as Special Representative for Syria: Sources

Washington/Ankara – The United States is preparing to name Thomas Barrack, current U.S. ambassador to Turkey and longtime advisor to former President Donald Trump, as special envoy for Syria, according to diplomatic sources and a person familiar with the matter, Reuters reported.

The move comes just days after Trump’s surprise announcement to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling a major shift in Washington’s policy towards Damascus and reflecting Turkey’s expanding regional influence following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.

Barrack to Oversee Post-Assad Transition

While the U.S. State Department has declined to confirm the appointment, a spokesperson stated: “There is no announcement at this time.” However, insiders say Barrack will retain his ambassadorial role in Ankara while also assuming the Syria portfolio.

A private equity executive and political confidant of Trump, Barrack chaired Trump’s 2016 inaugural committee and is considered one of the most trusted figures in Trump’s foreign policy inner circle.

His dual role will likely enhance coordination between Ankara and Washington on Syrian reconstruction, refugee returns, and counterterrorism efforts.

Washington-Antalya Axis: Rubio and Barrack Step In

Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed closer cooperation with Turkey on Syria. He said Turkish officials, including Barrack, have begun engaging with local Syrian actors to assess humanitarian and security needs.

“We want to help that government succeed,” Rubio stated, referring to the interim administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom Trump met in Saudi Arabia on May 14. “The alternative is full-scale civil war and chaos, which would, of course, destabilize the entire region.”

Barrack joined Rubio last week in a series of high-profile diplomatic meetings, including a trilateral hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Antalya, where they met with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani.

Erdogan Emerges as Strategic Beneficiary

Following the Riyadh summit, where al-Sharaa’s leadership was formally recognized by the U.S. and Gulf allies, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emerged as one of the biggest geopolitical winners.

Turkey is expected to play a central role in reconstructing Syria’s economy and military, facilitating the return of up to one million Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey. Turkish firms are poised to secure major infrastructure and defense contracts under the framework supported by Gulf state financing.

“The lifting of sanctions is less a diplomatic gesture than a strategic economic pact,” a regional analyst commented. “Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are positioned to extract significant political and financial gains from Syria’s rebuilding.”

Gulf Cash, Turkish Contracts, Lebanese Banks

One of the key mechanisms in the post-sanctions landscape will be Lebanese financial institutions, which have been barred from Syrian transactions under U.S. sanctions until now. With restrictions lifted, Gulf funding is expected to flow through Beirut’s banks directly into Turkish contractors’ accounts.

This structure benefits all stakeholders: Lebanon’s struggling economy gains liquidity, Gulf states expand regional leverage, and Turkey solidifies its geopolitical ascendancy.

A Soft Pivot on Israel

The Trump administration’s shift in Syria policy appears to sideline Israel’s concerns, particularly as Trump publicly praised al-Sharaa, a former jihadist turned transitional leader. During their May 14 meeting, Trump reportedly urged him to normalize ties with Israel, but observers note that the U.S. is prioritizing stability and containment over traditional alliances.

This has raised alarms in Tel Aviv, where officials worry that Washington’s Syria reset could empower adversarial elements and reduce Israel’s leverage in regional affairs.

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