U.S. Envoy Embarks on Historic Visit to Syria, Signaling Diplomatic Thaw

Thomas Barrack, the newly appointed U.S. special envoy to Syria, conducted his inaugural visit to the country on Thursday, reflecting a potential shift toward improved diplomatic relations. During his trip, he called on Syria’s emerging leadership to pursue a nonaggression agreement with Israel.

Appointed just last week by President Trump, Barrack’s visit followed a surprising announcement from the president indicating plans to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria. This announcement preceded a scheduled meeting in Saudi Arabia with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, whom the U.S. expressed support for in establishing a stable government after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last year.

Barrack’s swift journey to Damascus aimed to accelerate progress in U.S.-Syria relations. During his stay, he ceremoniously raised the American flag over the U.S. ambassador’s residence — the first time in more than a decade. He also held discussions with al-Shara and key Syrian officials, including the ministers of interior and defense.

Following these meetings, Barrack reiterated a call for Syria to normalize its long-tense relationship with Israel, describing it as a "resolvable issue."

“It begins with dialogue,” Barrack stated to reporters in Damascus. “We should start by establishing a nonaggression agreement and engage in talks concerning boundaries and borders.”