(VOICE OF NAIJA)-Amb. Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, has called on regional blocs to handle their own specific internal affairs devoid of external interference.
Barrack made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026) in Antalya Türkiye.
While referencing some ongoing diplomatic efforts in some global conflicts, including Syria-Israel talks, he said that U.S. President Donald Trump “only exerts diplomatic influence, where necessary.”
“What you know and what you’ve seen is my boss exerts his influence where he feels that it’s necessary.
“For these, multilateral organisations, regions handling their own problems first is the ultimate result of our America First programmes.
“It’s not America first and the world gets badly. It’s America first, and everybody should look at their own countries the same,” Barrack said.
He added that this approach aligned with a broader vision of “diplomatic equality” and “peace through power and prosperity.”
Barrack’s remarks follow that of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who in an interview with Turkish News Agency, Anadolu, said talks with Israel were progressing with great difficulty, without a dead end.
Sharaa had explained that this was due to Israel’s insistence on maintaining a presence on Syrian soil.
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The Syrian President acknowledged the challenges, saying negotiations were “progressing, but added that there was “great difficulty,” without elaborating further on any specific sticking points.
Barrack, however, expressed confidence in the U.S. negotiating team, describing it as “the best negotiating team we have in America,” adding that Washington aimed to “do the best thing for the world.”
On Syria, specifically, Barrack pointed to cautious optimism on the ground, suggesting early signs of tangible change.
“What is important is that now the people on the street start feeling something other than hope … which is happening,” the U.S. envoy said.
He framed Syria as part of a broader geopolitical test case involving multiple global actors.
“The experiment that we have … plus America, plus Russia, plus China … all using this as a laboratory of if we can have a new kind of a nation in the middle of the Middle East.
Highlighting a broader geopolitical shift, Barrack said the international system is undergoing a “realignment” toward a new order in which regions take the lead in addressing their own issues.
“Let the regions handle their own issues and problems. We will intervene when necessary.
The post-1945 model of global security guarantees is changing and “everybody needs to be responsible for themselves,” he stressed.
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Barrack also voiced optimism about developments in Syria, saying “I’m really hopeful.”
According to him, there is growing hope in Syria, which is part of a wider “experiment” involving global and regional powers seeking a new model for stability in the Middle East.
Barrack described Syria’s internal dynamics as a potential “alignment” between different communities, including the Druze, and neighboring countries, calling it “the best opportunity … seen in the last 100 years.”
He added that Jordan had also played a constructive role by offering a “roadmap” to help address the ongoing challenges.
“The teams are doing their best,” Barrack said. “I think we’ll get there,” he added.
(NAN)
