A Day After Ending His Assignment, Trump Reappoints Barrack as Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq
One day after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the end of Tom Barrack’s mission as Special Envoy for Syria, U.S. President Donald Trump reappointed him to the same position.
Writing on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump stated: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of the United States Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, who has done an outstanding job, as Presidential Special Envoy to Syria and also as Presidential Special Envoy to Iraq. This appointment is part of strengthening our strategic cooperation with the governments of Syria and Iraq and continuing the growth of our relationship with both countries.”
Trump added: “Tom will continue serving as Ambassador to Turkey and will work with the full support of the U.S. Department of State. We deeply appreciate the work Tom Barrack has accomplished and his constant willingness to serve our country.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced on Saturday the conclusion of Tom Barrack’s duties as U.S. Special Envoy to Syria.
In a post on the social media platform X, Rubio clarified that the end of Barrack’s mission under that title did not mean he would step away from regional affairs. He emphasized that Barrack would continue to play a prominent leadership role within President Donald Trump’s administration regarding both the Syrian and Iraqi files.
Rubio also praised Barrack’s performance during his most recent assignment, describing his contributions as “invaluable.”
He stated that “Barrack’s extensive experience, regional relationships, and deep understanding of the ‘America First’ agenda will remain an important factor in advancing U.S. policy objectives and securing diplomatic gains throughout the region.”
Rubio did not provide additional details regarding the nature of Barrack’s new responsibilities or the future of the position of U.S. Special Envoy to Syria during the next phase.
Who Is Tom Barrack?
Tom Barrack is an American politician and businessman of Lebanese descent. Born in 1947, he initially worked as a lawyer before becoming a prominent real estate investor involved with major international corporations. He founded Colony Capital, a major investment company that acquired significant assets, including the Plaza Hotel in New York and the entertainment company Miramax.
Barrack was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and later Special Envoy to Syria in May 2025. During his one-year tenure, he oversaw U.S. policy toward Syria’s new administration following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. He also played a significant role in efforts to ease economic sanctions imposed on Damascus.
Barrack additionally participated in mediating the ceasefire agreement between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters, as well as in arrangements concerning the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian Army.
