U.S. State Department Ends Tom Barak's Duties as Special Envoy for Syria
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially announced the termination of the duties of the US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barak, as the US special envoy to Syria.
Rubio explained in a post on the "X" platform that this action does not mean that Barak will stay away from the thorny issues of the region, stressing that he will continue to play a prominent leadership role within the administration of US President Donald Trump to manage and direct policies related to both the files of Syria and Iraq.
Praise for the diplomatic role
The U.S. Secretary of State praised the pivotal role played by Barack during his mandate that began in May 2025, describing his contributions as "invaluable," noting that his extensive experience, regional ties, and deep understanding of the "America First" agenda will continue to be a key factor in supporting U.S. policy goals and achieving new diplomatic gains.
Rubio did not provide further details about the nature of Barak's new position or who would succeed him in the Syrian file.
U.S. Multi-Role Ambassador
U.S. diplomatic circles noted that Barak's tenure saw a unique combination of his position as ambassador in Ankara and the duties of special envoy for Syria, giving him the opportunity to lead political approaches that focused on the post-fall period of the former Syrian regime.
Barak's field roles have practically expanded beyond the Syrian border and into the Iraqi and Lebanese arenas.
In Lebanon, the U.S. envoy adopted a direct negotiating style that sparked a wide debate within diplomatic circles, while he emerged at the forefront of U.S. contacts with Baghdad immediately after Mark Savaya stumbled upon his duties as special envoy for Iraq, which gave Rubio's recent statements an official dimension to legitimize this broader regional role.
Controversial statements
Barak's diplomatic career has not been without crises, as he faced a wave of anger following a verbal altercation during a press conference in Lebanon, when he addressed journalists and called on them to act "civilly."
He was also accused of "arrogance and contempt" towards the Lebanese political elite following a famous statement in which he considered that "Lebanese political culture is based on denial, circumvention and evasion," at a time when he was clearly pushing for direct talks between Beirut and Tel Aviv.
Tom Barrack is the fourth US special envoy to Syria in the past 12 years, in a diplomatic career that saw a notable US absence between January 2021 and March 2025.
The United States has suspended the appointment of ambassadors to Damascus since 2014.
Diplomat Robert Ford, who served from December 2011 to February 2014, was the last official U.S. ambassador and resident there