U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said Turkey played a
crucial role in achieving the Hamas – Israel ceasefire, stating “Had Turkey not stepped in, we
would not be where we are today.” He also emphasized that Qatar’s mediation was an
essential element of the process.
Speaking at the Doha Forum, Barrack argued that the West has long mismanaged its approach
to the Middle East, adding that the Trump administration has adopted a different policy aimed
at allowing the region to shape its own political order.
Highlighting progress in Syria over the past year, Barrack said the country has shown “an
impressive performance” in managing its different camps, integrating communities, and
combating chemical weapons.
He added that the most effective governance models in the Middle East have historically been
not democracies but strong and centralized leadership structures, noting that Western attempts
to impose parliamentary systems have often resulted in paralysis, as seen in Iraq and Libya.
