US Envoy Critiques Israeli Policy on Syria and Turkey

During the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, US Special Envoy for Syria and Turkey, Tom Barrack, criticized Israel's approach towards Syria and Turkey, suggesting that its adversarial stance is strategically counterproductive. Barrack emphasized that Syria, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed a desire to normalize relations with Israel, stating, “We don’t want an adversarial issue with Israel. We want to work towards a non-aggression agreement and a normalization.” He noted that since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2025, Syria has not engaged in military actions against Israel.

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Despite Barrack's assertions, Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Syria, establishing a buffer zone to protect its borders from perceived threats. Israeli forces have conducted operations against Syrian military convoys, citing the need to safeguard Israeli citizens from militant actors. Barrack acknowledged Israel's military incursions but argued that the Sharaa government has been “brilliant” in avoiding direct conflict, indicating a willingness to engage in dialogue.

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Barrack also pointed out that Israel's view of the Druze communities in southern Syria as "cousins" of their Israeli counterparts has influenced its military actions. He remarked that Israel's intervention during the Sweida incidents was aimed at protecting these communities from regime-linked violence.

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Barrack criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's disregard for borders in his security strategy following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. He suggested that such an approach could hinder potential diplomatic progress with Syria. Barrack expressed optimism about achieving a normalization agreement with Syria sooner than with Lebanon, citing Damascus's consistent willingness to engage in talks.

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Barrack also addressed Israel's opposition to Turkey's involvement in postwar Gaza stabilization efforts. He argued that Turkey, alongside Qatar, has played a crucial mediating role in the conflict, facilitating communication with Hamas. He recalled that President Donald Trump had reached out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to assist in securing a ceasefire, highlighting Turkey's potential as a constructive partner in the region.

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Barrack's comments reflect a broader US perspective advocating for diplomatic engagement with both Syria and Turkey. He stated, “Inclusion is the only answer. Exclusion is short-term,” emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to address regional tensions.

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• “has said time and time again that there are no issues with Israel. ‘We don’t want an adversarial issue with Israel. We don’t want to be at war with Israel. We want to work towards a non-aggression agreement and a normalization,'” — Tom Barrack, US Special Envoy for Syria and Turkey

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• “In our opinion, Syria has been brilliant at not engaging adversarially against Israel.” — Tom Barrack

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• “We’ll get there. My bet is we’ll get to a non-aggression and normalization agreement with Syria sooner than Lebanon.” — Tom Barrack

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While Barrack asserts that Syria has not engaged militarily with Israel since the regime change, Israel's military actions in the region suggest ongoing tensions. Additionally, the extent of Turkey's role in mediating between Israel and Hamas remains contentious, with Israel historically opposing Turkish involvement.

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In summary, Barrack's remarks at the Antalya Forum highlight a significant shift in diplomatic discourse regarding Israel's relationships with Syria and Turkey, advocating for a more inclusive approach to regional stability.

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