US envoy praises Syria's cooperation in potential deal with Israel

The United States' special envoy for Syria has publicly acknowledged the Syrian government's constructive approach in talks concerning a potential normalization deal with Israel. Thomas Barrack, in an interview with The National during the Milken Institute Summit in Abu Dhabi, stated that Damascus is "on the right track" and has been "totally cooperative" with American diplomatic efforts.

Syria's Compliance Versus Israel's Distrust

Barrack detailed that Syria is actively engaging with the US-led process, noting, "Everything we ask them to do, and dragging them towards Israel, they're doing it." However, he identified Israel's persistent wariness as the primary obstacle to faster progress. "Israel is not trusting yet," he said, attributing the slow pace of negotiations to this lack of confidence from the Israeli side.

The Framework for a Deal and Regional Complications

The US envoy outlined the envisioned path forward, beginning with a security and border agreement, followed by the establishment of utilization zones, and ultimately moving toward normalization. He affirmed that Syria understands a deal with Israel is "part of the solution," despite facing disruptions from "many enemy combatants." Barrack also touched upon US-Iran relations, stating the administration is open to real discussions contingent on Tehran addressing uranium enrichment and support for regional proxies.

A Lengthy Process Ahead

Characterizing the diplomatic effort as an ongoing narrative, Barrack suggested the process is far from complete, remarking, "We are not at the end yet. It is chapter five, and we have five more chapters to go." His comments come amid a complex regional landscape where US-mediated talks between Syria and Israel represent a significant, though challenging, strategic endeavor.