22.08.2026 16:40
Tom Barrack, the US Special Representative for Syria and US Ambassador to Ankara, who made assessments regarding the Türkiye-Israel tension, made an implicit reference to Israel. Praising Türkiye's strengthening position and President Erdoğan's efforts to reduce tension, Barrack said, 'The Turkish army is strong, brave, very well-equipped, and knows what it is doing.'
US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Syria and US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack made statements regarding the agenda during a live broadcast on YouTube.
Responding to a question about Israel's attack on the Abu Zuhur Air Base in Syria and the subsequent increase in regional tension, Barrack recalled that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that security risks that could come from the borders would not be permitted. Despite this, Barrack stated that Syria does not pose a security threat to Israel after the recent regime change, saying, "Syria did not act aggressively. The situation in Lebanon is different. We can talk about that later. In Lebanon, we have an ongoing issue with Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, which is in conflict with the southern region and Israel. However, this was not the case in Syria, which now has a new government."
"NETANYAHU KNOWS WHAT HIS ELECTORATE WANTS"
Noting that Turkey-Israel relations followed a good course in the early 2000s, Barrack said, "As for today, my belief and hope is that this will happen again." Referring to the recent increase in Israel-Turkey tension, Barrack commented, "Aren't the things you hear in the rhetoric of these countries' top leaders what everyone has to do during the political campaign process? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving towards the elections to be held in October. He knows what his electorate wants."
"WE ARE IN COORDINATION WITH TURKEY, ISRAEL AND SYRIA"
Emphasizing that Israel, Turkey, and Syria have common interests despite the tensions, Barrack said, "There is a situation of a Rubik's cube inside a Rubik's cube. Just Syria alone is dealing with the Kurds, the SDF, and ISIS. You know, in the meantime, we are in coordination with Turkey, Israel, and Syria every evening to hunt ISIS terrorists. Because as long as the power vacuum continues, ISIS is making a great effort to rebuild itself."
"ISRAEL MAY HAVE RECEIVED WRONG INTELLIGENCE"
Reminded that Israel's attack on the Abu Zuhur Air Base in Syria surprised everyone, Barrack was asked, "Since coordination between the region's countries continues, why was this attack carried out?" He replied, "I don't know for sure." However, noting that some logical scenarios were presented to them, Barrack said, "First, as you have heard, Israel had some intelligence information that one of these 3 possibilities was occurring: either Turkish soldiers or military elements were present on the ground. We know this is not the case. This issue had been brought up before by Israel. About 6 days ago, we were told, 'We have intelligence that there could be Turkish activity on the ground that would worry us greatly.' We all did our part. We consulted our own intelligence agencies. The answer we received was, 'No, such a thing is not happening.' The second possibility was that a threat, which was on the move at that time and unnoticed by anyone else, was picked up by Israel's own intelligence, leading them to think urgent action was needed. The third and perhaps strongest possibility was that they had obtained intelligence about a strategy planned by the Turks to expand a training program at that facility."
"TURKEY'S MILITARY PRESENCE ON THE SYRIA BORDER LINE HAS ALWAYS EXISTED"
Reminding that US President Donald Trump had previously asked President Erdogan, "Why didn't you take Syria on December 8?", Barrack said, "President Erdogan replied, 'Because we don't want it. We want Syria to be a sovereign and independent country as a canvas and protective cover in the middle of this very difficult geography.' Saudi Arabia thinks the same way. Of course, Israel holds the same view. However, Turkey's presence on those borders and lines, and the Turkish military training elements there, have always existed."
"THE TURKS ACTED WISELY"
Stating that two regions, located 85 kilometers from the Israeli border and named T4 and Palmyra, particularly raised security concerns for Israel, Barrack said, "Israel was telling Turkey, 'Please do not re-establish yourselves in these two bases either. It's too close. We are not sure about the Syrian government. We are also not sure about your alignment with the Syrian government. So please do not re-establish there, otherwise, we will strike them.' This issue went back and forth for a while, but the Turks acted wisely, saying they did not want to fight with Israel, and this has been a constant message from the Turks."
"THE TURKISH ARMY IS STRONG, BRAVE, VERY WELL-EQUIPPED"
Regarding concerns about the possibility of regional conflict, Barrack said, "The Turkish army is strong, brave, very well-equipped, and knows what it's doing. Could this turn into something like World War II? Our view is that, just as you might see in World War II, an unintentional act could lead to a new world war at any moment, and I think that's what we are all trying to prevent." Barrack also stated that he believes goals like "Greater Israel" are not real.
"I KNOW THE TURKS ARE FOCUSED ON MODERATION"
Barrack avoided giving a clear answer to the question of why Israel targeted a region close to the Turkish border, reiterating that there are different theories on this matter. Pointing out that Israel might be trying to provoke Turkey, Barrack said, "One theory is that the Israelis are provoking the Turks. Remember, the Turks shot down a Russian warplane under similar circumstances, right? Deploying warplanes without notification or an agreement at the border is a very dangerous game. That was the serious and concerning part. Because I know that the Turkish intelligence agencies, their top administration, their foreign ministers, their presidents, their intelligence chiefs, all of them are focused on moderation. Truly, it is so. This is a fact. They are not aggressive. They are not interested in attacking Israel or even engaging in any kinetic or hostile relationship. It's not good for the region. It's not good for them either." Barrack added, "So, one theory is that they are just provoking the Turks. It is considered to be an aggressive, but perhaps good, concept before the elections."
BARRACK PRAISES TURKEY AND PRESIDENT ERDOGAN
Speaking highly of Turkey's strengthened position and President Erdogan's efforts to reduce tension, Barrack said, "Turkey is entering a new and powerful era that makes everyone uneasy but is great for itself. You know, they are a center with 8 countries and 4 seas around them, with Central Asia on one side, the Caspian and the Mediterranean on the other, as a non-Arab but functional, tolerant, and Muslim country. They have a deterrent appearance due to their geographical presence."
I am hopeful that common sense will prevail for this reason. President Erdogan is doing a great job by trying to lower the tension," he said.