27 July 2025

US tries to claw back influence in Middle East after crisis in Syria - analysis


US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011.(photo credit: RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images)BySETH J. FRANTZMANJULY 22, 2025 10:32Updated: JULY 22, 2025 18:28US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who is also the special envoy for Syria, met with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi on Saturday, the US embassy in Syria reported.

They had met “to discuss the current situation in Syria and the need for urgent steps to restore calm and stability,” the embassy said. “They also discussed practical steps toward integration into a unified Syria for a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, and stable future for all Syrians. They agreed the time for unity is now.”

US pushes for warm relations with SyriaBarrack traveled to Lebanon on Sunday for talks with Lebanese leaders. He has made many trips around the region over the past three months in an effort to advance US President Donald Trump’s policy on Syria.Trump has pushed for Washington to end sanctions on Syria and engage with President Ahmed al-Sharaa after he met with him in Saudi Arabia in May.French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in May. 

Sharaa is a potential threat to Israel’s security but possibly prepared to normalize ties with Israel, says the writer. (credit: STEPHANIE LECOCQ/REUTERS)Barrack has been tasked with that important task. He has been under the spotlight for the past two weeks as US policy on Syria continues to face challenges.First, there is growing concern about Sharaa and his ability to control parts of Syria. The fighting in Sweida and Israel’s intervention and bombing of Damascus have raised eyebrows. Can Sharaa sort things out in Sweida and also not provoke more Israeli attacks?

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