Diplomacy
Envoy Tom Barrack urges Israel to embrace Türkiye as key to regional stability
Tom Barrack, US Ambassador and Special Envoy for Syria, outlined a transformative vision for regional diplomacy at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, asserting that Israel’s most strategic path forward lies in a fundamental realignment with Türkiye.
Speaking during a panel at the forum, Barrack described a United States that has achieved energy independence and is now signaling a programmatic shift in its Middle East policy. He characterized the current American stance as telling the region, “We love you, we are with you, but we now have a new doctrine.”
Barrack identified this framework as the “Donroe Doctrine,” which he defined as an extension of “America First.” This doctrine, he explained, dictates that US concerns are primarily centered on the Western Hemisphere. Amid global “pain and restlessness,” Barrack noted that the current administration is skeptical of international frameworks. “Forget multilateral organizations,” Barrack said. “I have a boss who cannot spell the word ‘multilateral’.”
Detailing the presidential approach to diplomacy, Barrack said that if his superior faces an issue with a world leader, he simply calls them to strike a deal. Should negotiations fail, he applies tariffs. This shift indicates a move away from global multilateralism toward a landscape of bilateralism, sending a clear message to the world: “Every region must begin to fend for itself.” Barrack characterized this as a matter of parity, stating, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”
Turning to Lebanon, Barrack noted the absence of a census since 1938 and offered an assessment of the Shiite population. He suggested that Lebanese Sunnis, who constitute the majority of the Lebanese armed forces, as well as Palestinian and Syrian refugees, would be unlikely to engage in fratricidal conflict, particularly while Israel is conducting strikes against them. This environment, he argued, only reinforces the rationale for Hezbollah’s existence as a defensive shield against Israel. He contended that the ultimate solution to such instability must be rooted in fundamental prosperity.
Barrack emphasized that when a sovereign nation like Iran supports a militia, that force cannot be eliminated through military attrition alone—a philosophy he applied globally. He argued that stability must begin with individual and familial prosperity, eventually scaling up to the tribe and the broader society. This focus on local economic well-being is the reason, Barrack claimed, that his “boss” believes certain responsibilities should be left to the region itself.
He cited the Abraham Accords as a primary answer to regional challenges and described the US involvement in Syria as an experiment alongside Türkiye, which he characterized as a vital partner. Barrack lauded Türkiye as the only “real economy” in the heart of a complex region, describing it as a true nation defined by its people, resources, and military might. While Türkiye is the second-largest supporter of NATO, Barrack noted it is also one of the alliance’s most relevant and critical engines.
Barrack addressed the shift in global logistics, noting that the “Portsmouth Strait” and the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) demonstrate that traditional maritime laws face modern challenges. He argued that the alliance must find a way to merge converging perspectives through a “harmony of interests” where individuals benefit. On the subject of religion, he called for mutual respect and the freedom for all to practice their faith, observing that such a state of affairs does not currently exist. He lamented a similar division in the US between those who believe the country should have a Christian identity and other minority faiths.
During the panel, the moderator noted that diplomacy is the only viable alternative to a cycle of war and pointed out the significant decline in trade and diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Israel. When asked about Israel’s current military posturing and whether it signaled a new cycle of conflict or a failure of diplomacy, Barrack offered his personal analysis.
“This region respects only one thing: power,” Barrack said. He described President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as an “incredible leader” and stated that Benjamin Netanyahu is doing what he believes is best for his country. Barrack warned that failing to project strength results in “living in a dream world,” citing Syria as a prime example. He argued that Syria’s internal logic persists because of a “strong, powerful, and courageous leader” who has directed the country’s course, even if observers disagree with his perspectives.
Barrack characterized the heightened rhetoric between Erdoğan and Netanyahu as “merely rhetoric.” He noted that newspapers in Tel Aviv might depict a “modern Ottoman Empire” stretching from Vienna to the Maldives, while papers in Istanbul might show a “Greater Israel” with similar reach. He dismissed these as competing narratives of conquest.
Addressing energy security, Barrack stated that the “energy world” no longer views ships as the cheapest or most flexible method for transport due to inherent vulnerabilities. While ships can be diverted from the Arabian Gulf to Indonesia in the event of a conflict, pipelines lack that flexibility. However, he noted that pipelines are currently operating at only 30% capacity because the global focus has shifted from production to security. This represents a transition from a “just-in-time” logistics model to a “just-in-case” philosophy.
Barrack highlighted that critical infrastructure, including fiber optic cables, data, and resources, now flows through Türkiye. He suggested that just as Israel has aligned with Abu Dhabi and potentially Saudi Arabia, its ultimate prosperity depends on aligning with Türkiye. “Türkiye is not a country to be trifled with,” he said, adding that he expects the current hostile rhetoric to eventually dissipate.
Barrack defended the effectiveness of “benevolent monarchies” and “monarchical republics” in the Gulf, arguing that these strong leadership regimes are what currently work in the region. He contended that democratic experiments like the Arab Spring had failed, and countries targeted for human rights or democratic reforms had largely struggled.
He emphasized that Israel must align its interests with these “strong civilizations” and the Gulf. Mentioning Syria, he noted it as one of the world’s oldest civilizations where Jews, Muslims, and Christians lived side-by-side for centuries without conflict.
Barrack stated that he had shared these views with Israeli officials. While acknowledging that their current tactical moves might be correct from their perspective, he questioned the long-term strategy. He criticized the nature of current ceasefire agreements, specifically a 2024 mechanism where Israel retains the right to strike if it unilaterally deems itself under threat. He also noted that UNIFIL has spent 40 years and $10 billion in Lebanon without stopping conflict, and that war resumed shortly after the latest agreement due to side arrangements made with the Biden administration.
When asked about President Erdoğan’s proposal for an international stability force in Gaza and Israel’s rejection of the idea, Barrack offered a personal recommendation. “The smartest thing Israel can do is to encourage and embrace Türkiye’s entry into that forum,” he said.
He argued that Türkiye’s refusal to designate Hamas as a “foreign terrorist organization” is precisely what makes them a necessary mediator. He asked, “Who are the intermediaries to talk to?” He noted that while the US possesses absolute air, sea, and land dominance in the region, it does not possess “the hearts and souls of the people.”
Barrack revealed that during President Trump’s first term, the US relied on Türkiye’s unique access. He cited an instance where Trump called Erdoğan to request intervention with Hamas leaders before a peace agreement could be finalized. He credited Erdoğan, Hakan Fidan, and İbrahim Kalın with successfully bringing those leaders to the table. Barrack argued that if Türkiye had followed the US in blacklisting Hamas, such mediation would have been impossible. He concluded that including Türkiye in the Gaza process could help prevent atrocities and violations, as Türkiye “speaks the language” of the region.
Addressing Syria’s lack of retaliation against Israeli strikes, Barrack argued that the Syrian government under the El-Sharra regime has shown remarkable restraint and an openness to non-aggression. He stated that the Syrian leadership has repeatedly expressed a desire to avoid war and work toward normalization.
Barrack noted that Netanyahu’s stance that “everything changed after October 7” has rendered previous border agreements—from 1967 and 1974—irrelevant to current Israeli policy. He described Syria’s decision to stay out of the current war as a “brilliant move,” despite constant Israeli incursions against convoys.
Barrack revealed he had personally managed five meetings between Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani and Ron Dermer, representing Netanyahu. He stated that while the process “evaporated” after coming very close to a breakthrough, a foundation for a “fusion” remains. “The Syrians have shown tremendous patience,” Barrack said, adding that he believes a stage of non-aggression and normalization will be reached “sooner than one might think.”
South Korea is launching its first commercial container ship voyage to Europe via the Northern Sea Route passing through Russian territorial waters. With this step, which shortens travel time by approximately 35%, the Seoul administration aims to transform the Arctic route into a regular trade corridor by 2030 and turn Busan into a key maritime hub.
South Korea is sending a container ship to Europe via the Arctic Northern Sea Route passing through Russian territorial waters for the first time.
Planned in the shadow of potential tensions in the Seoul administration’s relations with Western nations, this voyage represents the country’s first commercial shipping step on the route in question.
According to reports by the Reuters and Yonhap agencies, the container vessel named PanStar Acro is scheduled to set sail on 22 August.
According to VesselFinder data, the Panama-flagged vessel, which has a capacity of 2,758 TEU, is carrying a cargo of 837 TEU comprising automotive spare parts and chemical products.
Carrying its cargo measured in TEU—a unit referring to the volume of a standard 20-foot container—the ship is scheduled to depart at approximately 20:00 local time (14:00 Türkiye time).
Advancing north along Kamchatka and crossing the Bering Sea to enter the Northern Sea Route, the ship will call at the ports of Felixstowe in the United Kingdom, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Gdansk in Poland. The entire voyage is expected to take between 40 and 45 days.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has made Arctic maritime transport one of the country’s priorities. The Seoul administration plans to turn Busan into a key maritime hub through this route and make the Arctic region a regular trade passage by 2030.
According to calculations by South Korean officials, the Arctic route reduces navigation time by roughly 35%.
Nevertheless, the project carries the risk of complicating relations with Western allies who are attempting to isolate Russia internationally due to the conflict in Ukraine.
It is reported that the Seoul administration has held consultations with Moscow regarding the process, including the provision of assistance in possible emergencies such as the vessel becoming trapped in ice.
According to data from Norway’s High North Logistics Center, 88 vessels carried out a total of 103 transit passages last year on the route, which was used by 43 ships in 2022 and 97 ships in 2024.
The primary maritime traffic on the Arctic route was provided by Russia and China. Scientists point out that while melting glaciers facilitate navigation, increasing maritime traffic accelerates global warming.
As the shortest waterway between the European part of Russia and the Far East region, the Northern Sea Route lies entirely within the Arctic Ocean and partly within the seas of the Pacific Ocean, situated within Russian borders.
Transit permits for the route are issued by the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosatom.
Igor Tonkovidov, head of the Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, had previously proposed resuming cooperation between Russia and South Korea in the field of Northern Sea Route transportation.
Tonkovidov had called for revisiting the delivery to the Russian company of three Arctic-class liquefied natural gas tankers ordered from South Korea’s DSME shipyard.
Valued at $872.1 million, corresponding to approximately 74.24 billion roubles, this contract could not be fulfilled due to sanctions imposed following the start of the military operation.
South Korea is not the only country in the Asian region utilising the Northern Sea Route. At the beginning of August, Rosatom granted transit permission to seven vessels belonging to the Chinese shipping company Sea Legend.
Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev stated that the company aims to establish a regular line with weekly sailings throughout the navigation season.
Last year, China officially commissioned the world’s first Arctic express route connecting China and Europe. Within this framework, the container vessel Istanbul Bridge departed from the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan and sailed to the Port of Felixstowe.
Stating that the surge in activity on the Northern Sea Route comes amid a crisis environment in the Strait of Hormuz, Likhachev noted that the Chinese company’s initiative confirms the growing demand for the Arctic passage and represents a new phase in this route becoming a transport artery of global significance.
Erik Prince, the founder of the private military contractor Blackwater—which operates today under the name Academi—has established a new enterprise, Vectus Air Defense Systems, that applies a paid subscription model to its air defence systems.
According to a report by the Financial Times (FT), the new company will operate on an “air defence as a service” principle based on software subscriptions. Under multi-year contracts, it will design, install, and maintain multi-layered air defence systems.
The company positions its air defence systems as a more cost-effective alternative to Patriot-type anti-missile systems deployed against inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Vectus products will integrate technologies from the US, Ukraine, Israel, and other nations, including sensors, electronic warfare tools, interceptor drones, and high-rate-of-fire heavy autocannons.
The company was founded in partnership with Swarmer, a Ukrainian drone software development group. Swarmer, which is among the founding investors of Vectus, holds a 20% stake in the firm.
The FT reported that the two companies will collaborate on counter-drone technologies, including sensors and swarm systems. According to the report, Prince currently serves as the non-executive chairman of Swarmer.
In a statement to Axios, Prince said: “It is clear the threat is rapidly evolving, and private sector demand for such solutions is very high. We must drastically lower defence costs and enable clients to take the protection of critical facilities into their own hands.”
A representative for Prince stated that the prominent entrepreneur spent the past year meeting with technology suppliers and prospective clients across Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
According to the representative, the developed air defence systems offer the most viable solution for major commercial and civilian installations that either do not wish to entrust, or cannot entrust, their security entirely to the state.
An ally of US President Donald Trump, Prince has a long-standing involvement in the defence sector.
Having established his private security firm in 1997, Prince’s company Blackwater signed $2 billion in government security contracts between 1997 and 2010, including the protection of US Department of State personnel.
The company carried out approximately 100,000 missions during the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Certain operations conducted by Blackwater, however, drew fierce criticism.
An incident in September 2007, in which company personnel opened fire on a crowd in Baghdad’s Nisour Square—killing 17 Iraqi civilians and severely wounding 20 others—provoked massive public outrage.
US courts convicted three employees on 15 separate counts of manslaughter in 2014 and 2019.
Following the Blackwater era, Prince established Presidential Airways, a global aviation transport company operating more than 75 aircraft across emerging markets, and Frontier Resource Group, a private investment firm focused on natural resource ventures.
A primary operational focus of this investment firm involved providing logistics to oil and mining companies in remote and hazardous regions of Africa.
In 2014, Prince acquired a 25% stake in the Austrian aviation company Airborne Technologies.
Entities affiliated with Prince sought to modify Thrush 510G agricultural crop-duster aircraft by outfitting them with surveillance equipment, machine guns, armour, and rocket pods.
The Guardian reported in September of last year that Prince planned to acquire a Ukrainian drone manufacturer. At the time, the Blackwater founder was seen engaging with local drone producers in Kyiv.
The newspaper noted that Prince’s interest in Ukraine was long-standing, recalling that in 2020 he had submitted a multi-billion-dollar proposal through his private security firm to resolve the crisis in the Donbas, though the deal never materialised.
As subsequently reported by The Guardian, Prince joined the board of directors of Swarmer, a Ukrainian start-up specialising in autonomous drone swarm management.
The Blackwater founder described the company as a venture “born in the crucible of modern combat”.
The US has officially changed its designation of Hezbollah to identify it as a “proxy of Iran”.
Executive Order 13224 now explicitly states that Hezbollah is sanctioned for acting for or on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF).
Speaking to Al Arabiya, a US State Department official argued that this change underscores how Hezbollah operates with almost no regard for Lebanese sovereignty, the Lebanese people, or the Lebanese state.
The official continued:
“This decision formally recognizes that Hezbollah’s military operations, external security apparatus, and major financing networks function as an extension of the IRGC-QF—Iran’s primary instrument for executing terrorist activity beyond its borders. Hezbollah is not a Lebanese resistance movement.”
Pointing to repeated oaths of loyalty and allegiance by Hezbollah officials to Iran’s Supreme Leader, the official maintained that the Quds Force also exerts a decisive influence over the group’s military and strategic decisions.
The official stated that Washington remains committed to “disrupting the networks that allow Iran to use Hezbollah as an instrument to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, threaten regional stability, and advance Tehran’s terrorist agenda.”
The official further accused Hezbollah of dragging Lebanon into destructive wars with Israel twice within the last two years, stating that the group remains an obstacle to Lebanon’s sovereignty, stability, and economic recovery.
“The disarmament and dismantling of Hezbollah is vital for any credible path forward for Lebanon, and we are working with our partners to advance this goal,” the US State Department official said.
South Korea begins first commercial voyage via Northern Sea Route
India intel push on China risks dangerous miscalculation, study says
US, Canada head toward trade war after tariff negotiations fail
Blackwater founder Erik Prince creates air defence venture with Kyiv
China and Arab states launch 5-year anti-desertification plan
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