Trump Envoy Barrack to Step Down from Syria Post

US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack to Step Down, Maintain Key Role

Tom Barrack, the US Special Envoy to Syria, will be exiting his formal post following the expiration of his mandate. However, he is set to continue playing a central diplomatic role in managing US policy for Syria and Iraq, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Barrack, a billionaire real estate investor and longtime confidant of President Donald Trump, has served as the administration’s primary envoy to Syria since May 2025. He will also remain the US ambassador to Turkey.

A statement from Rubio announced that Barrack’s role in Syria and Iraq will continue, citing his expertise, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda. Nanar Hawach, senior Syria analyst at the think tank International Crisis Group, noted that Barrack’s special envoy title has expired, but his role remains unchanged.

During his tenure as Syria envoy, Barrack oversaw Washington’s pivot towards the post-Assad administration of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He also coordinated counter-Islamic State operations alongside regional allies and raised capital from Emirati sovereign funds.

Barrack’s time in Syria has been marked by controversy, including criticism for his mediation efforts with Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as his public assertions about governance in the Middle East. State Department officials have not yet announced a successor for the Syria envoy position.

Source: Al Jazeera