US envoy to Ankara Tom Barrack adds Iraq special representative role

Tom Barrack, the United States ambassador to Türkiye and special envoy to Syria, has expressed satisfaction at his additional appointment as special representative to Iraq. In a post on social media, Barrack said he was honoured to accept the special envoy title under President Donald Trump’s “bold leadership,” adding: “It is an honour to serve Donald Trump, who has achieved what no predecessor could in the Middle East.”

Strategic vision

Barrack claimed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has “significantly changed the paradigm of American foreign policy in the region.” He noted that the US‑centred balance‑of‑power approach works best when regional allies take on greater responsibility and increase cooperation among themselves. “This should happen within a framework that protects US interests, regional stability, and core strategic objectives,” Barrack said. The expanded role allows Barrack to coordinate policy across Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq — three interconnected theatres where US interests often intersect with Turkish security concerns.