Trump Names Turkey Envoy Barrack to Syria, Iraq Role

Trump said Barrack would continue in his post as ambassador to Turkey while taking on the additional regional portfolio.

“I am pleased to announce that Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, will be appointed as special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq,” Trump said in a statement.

Trump praised Barrack’s work, saying the appointment came as Washington sought to advance strategic cooperation with the governments of Syria and Iraq and further improve relations with both countries.

“Tom will continue to serve as ambassador to Turkey and will work with the full support of the U.S. State Department,” Trump said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said that  Barrack will remain involved in Syria and Iraq policy despite his title as special envoy to Syria expiring.

“Ambassador Tom Barrack has played an invaluable role as our Special Envoy to Syria,” Rubio wrote X. 

Saying that Barrack’s expertise and relationships in the region would continue to serve the administration’s goals, Rubio noted that “he will continue to play a leading role for the Trump Administration in both Syria and Iraq, where his expertise, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda will continue to deliver wins on behalf of our great country.”

“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 [Donald Trump] strategic cooperation with the government in Syria and begin our work with the new government in Iraq,” Rubio also said.

Barrack was appointed as the special envoy for Syria by Trump in May 2025. Throughout his tenure, Barrack played a pivotal role in major developments in Syria, particularly in fostering relations between Washington and Damascus in the post-Assad era, as well as integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the central government.

Following his latest meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa , Barrack stated, ‘Syria is now a laboratory for a new regional alignment of diplomacy, integration and hope for the entire region.’”