Trump appoints Tom Barrack as Syria envoy to support lifting sanctions and promote regional stability in post-Assad Syria.

New Diplomatic Role Signals Strategic Pivot

Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and a close advisor to President Donald Trump, has been appointed as the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. The announcement comes amid a major policy shift to ease American sanctions on Syria in an effort to bolster regional stability and sustain the defeat of ISIS.

In a post on X, Barrack confirmed his new role and pledged to assist Secretary of State Marco Rubio in executing the President’s Middle East strategy. “President Trump has outlined his clear vision of a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors,” Barrack wrote.

Sanctions relief was formally declared on May 13 as part of a broader initiative to help Syria rebuild following the ousting of the Assad regime by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in 2024. The Islamist group, designated a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and U.N., broke away from al Qaeda in 2016 but remains controversial.

Focus on ISIS Defeat and Regional Partnership

“The cessation of sanctions against Syria will preserve the integrity of our primary objective — the enduring defeat of ISIS,” Barrack stated. Nearly 1,500 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces, who currently detain around 10,000 ISIS fighters. The shift signals a continued focus on counterterrorism while re-engaging diplomatically with Syrian leadership.

Barrack highlighted the importance of engaging with key regional actors. “Together with regional partners including Türkiye and the Gulf, we are enabling the Syrian government to restore peace, security, and the hope of prosperity,” he wrote. “In the words of the President, we will work together, and we will succeed together.”

U.S. sanctions on Syria were first imposed in 1979 after it was designated a state sponsor of terrorism. The new direction represents a substantial diplomatic recalibration following years of conflict, international isolation, and humanitarian crisis.

As special envoy, Barrack will lead discussions with regional governments and oversee implementation of humanitarian, economic, and security initiatives. His close ties to President Trump and experience in the region signal a top-level effort to reset U.S.–Syria policy.

The move is likely to face scrutiny from some lawmakers and foreign policy experts who remain wary of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s influence and Syria’s fractured governance. However, Trump officials argue that lifting sanctions is essential to stabilize the country and prevent ISIS from regaining ground.

The appointment marks a significant moment in the administration’s Middle East engagement, signaling a preference for diplomatic leverage and regional coordination over continued economic pressure. The months ahead will test whether the strategy can yield lasting peace in one of the world’s most complex geopolitical landscapes.