US President Donald Trump said the appointment comes "as we advance our strategic cooperation with the Governments of Syria and Iraq" and that "our relationship with them continues to grow."
By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj
Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan — 31 May 2026
As Tom Barrack emerges as one of President Trump's most influential Middle East envoys, Iraq may be entering a new era of strategic pressure, regional realignment, and economic diplomacy. From Iran-backed militias and Kurdish oil disputes to Syria and Gulf investment, the consequences could reshape the country's future.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday appointed Tom Barrack as Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, alongside renewing his role as Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and retaining his post as US ambassador to Turkey, days after Barrack's previous Syria envoy mandate expired.
In a statement, Trump said that Barrack “will be named Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and, likewise, Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq,” in part of strategic cooperation with the governments of both countries.
“Tom will remain Ambassador to [Turkey],” he added, hailing Barrack’s service and his “continued willingness” to serve the US.
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the appointment of United States Ambassador to TĂĽrkiye, Tom Barrack, as Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq.
In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump praised Barrack’s performance as ambassador, describing his work as “outstanding”, and said the appointment comes as Washington advances its strategic cooperation with both Syria and Iraq.
"I am pleased to announce that United States Ambassador to TĂĽrkiye, Tom Barrack, who has done an outstanding job, will be named Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and, likewise, Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq, as we advance our strategic cooperation with the Governments of Syria and Iraq, our relationship with them continues to grow!" He said.
"Ambassador to TĂĽrkiye, and operate with the full backing of the United States Department of State. We greatly appreciate the work that Tom Barrack has done, and his continued willingness to serve our Country," he added.
The announcement comes a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Barrack’s tenure as Special Envoy to Syria officially ended on Friday, noting that he will "continue to play a leading role" in both Iraq and Syria.
The businessman-turned-diplomat also assumed the Iraq portfolio, though without an official title, after Mark Savaya's short-lived tenure as Special Envoy to Iraq fizzled out for unknown reasons.
"Ambassador Tom Barrack has been and remains a central interlocutor on Syria, and key trusted hand on Iraq," Rubio wrote in a separate post on social media the day after. "He will continue to play a vital role, not only as our Ambassador to the Republic of [Turkey], but also as we advance the President's strategic cooperation with the government in Syria and begin our work with the new government in Iraq."
Having recently secured parliamentary approval, the new government of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has voiced its keenness to cooperate with the US across multiple domains, with Zaidi's program for government stressing the need to restrict weapons to the state, a demand long pushed for by Washington.
The premier met with Charge d'Affaires at the US embassy in Baghdad Joshua Harris on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of continued joint work "within the framework of the Strategic Framework Agreement and bilateral memoranda of understanding."
Appointed to the role of special envoy for Syria in May 2025, Barrack emerged as Washington's man on the ground when it came to managing the country's transition under the new leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Barrack's tenure as envoy saw him intimately involved in efforts to lift US sanctions on Syria imposed during the era of Bashar al-Assad, securing economic breathing room for the new administration and helping to orchestrate Sharaa's visit to the White House that boosted the new Damascus government's perceived international legitimacy.
He also emerged as a key actor in mediating a ceasefire and integration deal between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after the former's military incursion into Rojava (northeast Syria) in January 2026, repeatedly meeting with leading figures from the respective sides and working in conjunction with Kurdistan Region authorities to secure a peace accord.
However, the billionaire real estate investor has enjoyed his fair share of controversy in the post. He has been criticized by both Kurds and Israelis for his perceived alignment with Ankara's foreign policy objectives, and his assertion that "benevolent monarchy" works better in the Middle East than democracy sparked polemic.
Barrack, who is himself of Lebanese descent, also caused a stir in his ancestral country after he called Lebanese journalists attending a press conference "animalistic" and urged them to be "civilized."
American Politician of Lebanese Origin
Thomas Barrack is an American politician and businessman of Lebanese origin. Born in 1947, he worked as a lawyer before emerging as a real estate investor in major international companies. He founded the giant Colony Capital company, through which he acquired major assets such as New York’s Plaza Hotel and Miramax.
He held senior positions under presidents Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, and was recently appointed US ambassador to Turkey, then special envoy to Syria.
During his tenure, Barrack led a major political shift expressed by the Trump administration, including support for stability and diplomatic integration in the phase after political change in Syria, calls to integrate local forces, and coordination over the contours of the transitional phase and reconstruction.
Thomas Barrack has had a long relationship with current President Donald Trump, dating back to the 1990s, when he sold him a stake in the well-known Alexander’s department store chain. The relationship between the two developed over the years.
Barrack became an adviser to Trump during his 2016 election campaign, then chaired the presidential inaugural committee that oversaw the celebrations and ceremonies for the inauguration of the 45th president in US history.
In July 2021, he faced federal charges of acting as an agent for a foreign state, exploiting his influence in Trump’s election campaign to influence US policy, and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but he was acquitted of the charges in November 2022.
When President Trump ran again in the 2024 presidential election and won, he announced his intention to nominate Barrack as US ambassador to Turkey. The Senate confirmed the appointment in late April 2025.
After taking office as US ambassador to Turkey, Barrack announced on May 23, 2025, that he had assumed the duties of US special envoy to Syria.
When Mr Barrack first took up the role of special envoy to Syria, relations between Washington and Damascus were just beginning to warm, after Syrian opposition groups, led by now-President Ahmad Al Shara, topped the government of Bashar Al Assad. Since his investiture, the US has lifted sanctions on Syria, and American forces, stationed there to assist with the fight against ISIS, have been withdrawn.
In Iraq, Mr Barrack will take up a complicated portfolio. Washington is working to counter Iranian influence in the country, where Iran-backed militias continue to carry out attacks on US interests.
Mr Barrack's appointment as special presidential envoy for Iraq comes after former special envoy Mark Savaya left his post.
It is unclear why Mr Savaya, an Iraqi-American from Michigan, left the post. Reuters, quoting informed sources, reported it had to do with his mishandling of certain situations, including his failure to prevent the nomination of former Iraqi leader Nouri Al Maliki to be the country's next prime minister.
he announcement follows remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said on Friday that Barrack would continue to play a key role in managing U.S. policy toward Syria and Iraq after the expiration of his formal mandate as special envoy to Syria. Rubio reiterated the importance of Barrack’s role on Saturday, describing him as “a central interlocutor on Syria” and a “key trusted hand on Iraq.”
Barrack’s expanded responsibilities come at a critical time for both countries. Syria is navigating a complex political transition following the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024, while Iraq continues to balance its relations with Washington amid regional tensions and the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran.
The appointment underscores the Trump administration’s focus on maintaining influence in the Middle East through diplomatic engagement and strategic partnerships as regional dynamics continue to evolve.
https://ilkha.com/english/world/trump-appoints-ambassador-tom-barrack-as-special-envoy-for-syria-and-iraq-536417
Mr Savaya, however, blamed an Iran-backed disinformation campaign.
What will change in Iraq?
If Tom Barrack's role as Washington's key interlocutor on Iraq continues to expand—as recent statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggest—the biggest changes in Iraq are likely to be political and strategic rather than military. Barrack is now viewed as one of President Trump's most trusted Middle East envoys and is expected to remain central to U.S. policy on both Iraq and Syria.
Who is Tom Barrack and Why Does He Matter?
Tom Barrack is not a traditional diplomat. He is a businessman, longtime Trump ally, and one of the administration's most influential Middle East negotiators. Unlike career diplomats, Barrack has direct access to President Trump and has been involved in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Gulf diplomacy, and increasingly Iraq.
That means Iraqi leaders may increasingly view him as the direct channel to the White House rather than simply another U.S. envoy.
Scenario 1: Stronger U.S. Pressure on Iran-Backed Militias
Probability: High
The Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that limiting Iranian influence remains a top priority in Iraq. Barrack has already met major Iraqi political actors and has been involved in discussions surrounding Iraq's political transition.
Potential developments:
Increased pressure to integrate or reduce militia power.
Demands that weapons remain under state control.
Greater scrutiny of groups linked to Iran.
Possible sanctions against militia-linked economic networks.
Recent reporting indicates Washington is already pushing Baghdad to strengthen state authority over armed groups.
Scenario 2: Baghdad–Erbil Relations Become a U.S. Priority
Probability: Very High
Barrack has been directly involved in discussions concerning oil exports and relations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. He has communicated with senior Kurdish leaders regarding energy and economic cooperation.
Possible outcomes:
Renewed U.S. mediation on oil export disputes.
Pressure for long-term revenue-sharing agreements.
Efforts to reduce political crises between Baghdad and Erbil.
Increased support for economic integration.
For the Kurdistan Region, this could be one of the most significant aspects of Barrack's role.
Scenario 3: Iraq and Syria Become One Strategic File
Probability: Very High
Barrack's unique position is that he manages both Iraq and Syria portfolios. Washington increasingly sees the two countries as interconnected security theaters.
This may lead to:
Coordinated border-security policies.
Greater focus on ISIS remnants operating across borders.
Increased pressure on Iraqi factions involved in Syrian affairs.
New regional security arrangements involving Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Gulf states.
In Washington's eyes, Iraq can no longer be managed separately from developments in Syria.
Scenario 4: Closer U.S.-Turkey-Iraq Coordination
Probability: Medium-High
As U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Barrack has unusually close ties to Ankara. His Iraq policy is likely to place greater emphasis on Turkish-Iraqi cooperation than previous administrations did.
Areas where this could emerge:
Energy corridors.
Trade routes linking the Gulf to Europe.
PKK-related security issues.
Water and infrastructure negotiations.
This may strengthen Turkey's influence in northern Iraq while increasing U.S. support for regional economic integration.
Scenario 5: Investment Diplomacy Instead of Traditional Diplomacy
Probability: High
One hallmark of Barrack's approach in Lebanon and Syria has been linking political objectives with economic incentives and Gulf investment.
In Iraq, this could translate into:
Gulf investment packages.
Infrastructure partnerships.
Energy sector reforms.
Private-sector-led reconstruction initiatives.
Barrack often approaches geopolitical problems through economic leverage rather than purely military pressure.
Scenario 6: A Push Toward Regional Integration
Probability: Medium
Trump's Middle East team has increasingly emphasized economic normalization and regional connectivity. Barrack may encourage Iraq to strengthen relations with:
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
TĂĽrkiye
Jordan
while balancing ties with Iran.
This would align with broader U.S. efforts to create economic corridors connecting the Gulf, Iraq, Turkey, and Europe.
The Most Likely Outcome
The most realistic scenario is not a dramatic transformation of Iraq but a gradual shift toward: Stronger pressure on armed groups outside state control. Greater U.S. involvement in Baghdad-Erbil disputes. Closer Iraq-Syria policy coordination. Increased Turkish and Gulf economic engagement. A more transactional U.S. approach focused on investment and stability rather than nation-building.
For Iraq, Barrack's appointment is less about military policy and more about reshaping the country's position within a new regional order stretching from the Gulf through Iraq and Syria to Turkey. The key question is whether Baghdad can balance U.S. demands, Iranian influence, Kurdish interests, and regional economic opportunities without triggering another cycle of political instability.
#Iraq #USIraqRelations #TomBarrack #MiddleEastPolicy #IraqPolitics #USForeignPolicy
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