US Ambassador Barrack outlines Trump’s new approach to Syria, US-Türkiye ties

Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Representative for Syria, gave an interview to NTV channel after assuming his post.

In the interview broadcast yesterday, Barrack made critical assessments regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Gaza, Syrian policy, and Türkiye-US relations.

The Ambassador stated that President Donald Trump’s patience, particularly concerning the Russia-Ukraine issue, has reached its limit and that Türkiye could assume a central role in the resolution process.

‘Türkiye plays a key role’

Referring to the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Barrack highlighted Türkiye’s significance in this process.

Barrack said, “Yes, I believe Türkiye plays a key role. All these senseless wars are a disaster for all of us. Türkiye has traditional cooperation with both Russia and Ukraine. This enables you to establish a crucial dialogue.”

Noting that President Trump’s efforts to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin have not yet yielded the desired outcome, the Ambassador addressed reports that the Russian leader, in response to Türkiye’s proposal for a quadrilateral meeting, wished to meet directly with Trump instead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Barrack stated, “Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of President Trump. However, it certainly needs to be a meaningful meeting where the decisions made are effective and come with security guarantees. Türkiye can assist in narrowing down a few issues necessary to formulate a sensible solution for all relevant parties.”

Ambassador Barrack continued: “President Trump’s patience has now run out; you cannot say he is a very patient person. With Türkiye intervening at this point and eliminating operational problems, a summit-level meeting between leaders could occur. And I believe we can resolve this issue for everyone.”

‘Our Syria policy will not resemble the policy of the last 100 years’

Barrack also provided important insights into the US’s future strategy in Syria, emphasizing that the current policy will change.

Barrack said, “Of course, what I can assure you is this: our Syria policy today will not resemble the Syria policy of the last 100 years, because none of those approaches worked.”

In response to whether the US would withdraw from Syria, he referred to President Trump’s previous statements, indicating that the number of US military bases would be reduced.

Barrack added, “Certainly, the reduction of our military bases is also significant. The number will eventually decrease from 8 bases to 1.”

When the interviewer, Kilislioğlu, reminded him that US support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was justified by the fight against ISIS and asked, “When do you think the US will say, ‘Okay, we don’t need the YPG’?” Barrack responded, “I don’t believe the outcome you are referring to is the anticipated one. Because the SDF is an ally. The support provided to the SDF is support given to an ally. This is a very important factor for our Congress. Guiding them towards integration into a new Syrian government is exceptionally crucial. Everyone needs to maintain reasonable expectations.”

The Ambassador mentioned that President Trump, together with President Erdoğan, said he would “give the new regime a chance,” an outcome nobody had predicted.

Türkiye-Israel tension in Syria and regional dynamics

Addressing the Türkiye-Israel tension in Syria, Barrack recalled that Türkiye was among the first nations to recognize Israel, stressing that the issue is not a religious conflict.

Stating that the Golan Heights issue pertains to water and security, Barrack said, “Therefore, the dialogue between Türkiye and Israel coincides with the dialogue between the YPG and Türkiye, and Türkiye is a very critical, key element here. It is a key element that will persuade the rest of the regional powers that Israel does not seek territorial expansion and is not attempting to seize Syria. Moreover, Türkiye has no designs on Syrian territory.”

Barrack suggested that a new commercial sphere could emerge in the region, fostering cooperation among Turkish companies, Gulf capital, and Israeli innovation.

“I believe all these borders trace back to Sykes-Picot, to the San Remo Agreement, to all the failed demarcations. It is simply time for reassignment and to reach an agreement,” Barrack stated, adding that the situation in Lebanon would likely follow a similar trajectory, requiring Hezbollah and Hamas to take a subordinate role. He characterized Iran as “a completely different question.”

Noting Türkiye’s location in a challenging geopolitical area, Barrack said, “We live in a very difficult region, a very challenging zip code, but Türkiye is coping incredibly well. However, the future lies in regional respectability, meaning not just as a NATO ally.” He also criticized Türkiye’s non-acceptance into the European Union as “utterly ridiculous.”

‘There is a senseless massacre in Gaza’

Ambassador Barrack, also responding to questions about the situation in Gaza, described the events as a “senseless massacre.”

Barrack stated, “Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of the administration, but I believe I can speak on behalf of the American people. There is a senseless massacre in Gaza, and this is horrifying for everyone.”

While condemning Hamas’s actions, he asserted that Palestinians should not be equated with Hamas.

Explaining that the solution to the problem is complex and that individuals like Steve Witkoff are working with President Trump towards a resolution, Barrack said, “I believe the President’s intention is to resolve all these issues in the very near future. We can refer to this as a two-state solution or a permanent solution.”

Barrack summarized the Trump administration’s foreign policy philosophy with President Trump’s words: “He says, ‘Do not trust us for long if you do not want to end senseless deaths everywhere, because America will no longer be globalist, it is not in neocon thinking; we want peace, prosperity, and understanding.’”

A new era in US-Türkiye relations?

Referring to relations between Türkiye and the US, Barrack highlighted the complexity of the S-400 issue. He explained that Türkiye shot down a Russian jet in 2015, experienced a coup attempt in 2016, and required air defense systems. Barrack noted that Türkiye turned to Russia due to difficulties in acquiring Patriot missiles at that time. Barrack said, “This, naturally, caused confusion for everyone. Because while NATO is intended to protect against Russia, Türkiye never used the S-400s, not even taking them out of the box.”

Emphasizing that Türkiye has developed its own air defense industry and the importance of TB2 drones and the Kaan jet, Barrack stated, “The relationship this President wants to establish with Türkiye, with your President, is a different kind of relationship—not strategic, not event-oriented, not transactional. It elevates it to a different level where America is not dictating defense directives to Europe; it is a completely different echelon.”

He indicated that Trump views Türkiye as being in a position where it can be most effective within a geography that has become the most influential region globally.