Behind the Scenes: Tom Barrack Reveals Details of Al Sharaa-Trump Meeting, Pointing to a "Magic Elixir" for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey

Tom Barrack, the former US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria, released a significant and detailed statement unveiling the backstage details of the "historic" meeting between the "Interim" Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa and US President Donald Trump during the former’s visit to the White House last week. Barrack described the moment as a "watershed moment in modern Middle Eastern history," emphasizing that the visit represents a "remarkable transition" for Syria from isolation to international partnership.

A "Historic" Visit and the Transition from Isolation to Partnership

Barrack published his statement on the X platform (formerly Twitter), noting that he had the great honor of accompanying Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa to the White House, making Al Sharaa "the first Syrian Head of State to visit the country since its independence in 1946." In the context of this shift, Barrack referenced President Trump’s May 13th announcement to lift all US sanctions to grant Syria "a genuine opportunity."

In the Oval Office, the meeting between Trump and Al Sharaa was described as "cordial and substantive," where both leaders affirmed their shared conviction that "the time has come to replace rupture with rapprochement" and give Syria—and its people—a real chance at renewal. The discussions, attended by a high-level US delegation including Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, witnessed a pivotal commitment from Al Sharaa to Trump.

Syria’s Commitment to Counter-Terrorism and Dismantling Regional Networks

This commitment centered on Syria joining the "Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," which, according to Barrack, represents a "historic framework" transitioning Syria from a "source of terror to a partner in counter-terrorism." Barrack affirmed that this commitment also entails reconstruction, cooperation, and contributing to the stability of the entire region. The Special Envoy stressed that "Damascus will now actively assist us in confronting and dismantling ISIS remnants, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist networks," and will be a "committed partner in global peace efforts."

The Trilateral Framework and the Secret "Magic Elixir"

Barrack revealed details of a "pivotal Trilateral Session" that brought together US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al Shaibani. During this session, "the next phase of the US-Turkish-Syrian framework" was outlined, which includes:

• Integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the new Syrian economic, defensive, and civil structure.

• Redefining Turkish-Syrian-Israeli relations.

• Enhancing consensus supporting the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, as well as various Lebanese border issues.

In a broader regional context, Barrack praised "Turkey’s tireless role," describing it as a testament to quiet, steady diplomacy. Crucially, Barrack noted that the "expanded alliance of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Turkey," supporting the return of the National Syrian State to the entire region, with all its tribal, religious, and cultural components, has been a "magic elixir" for achieving this regional renewal.

A Call to End the "Caesar Act" and Move Forward

Tom Barrack concluded his statement by affirming that Trump’s leadership sets a new course for balance based on the principle of "Security First, then Prosperity." While acknowledging that the road will not be smooth, he called for taking the decisive "next step" to support the new Syrian government: the "full cancellation of the Caesar Act." Barrack urged Congress to take this historic step to enable the Syrian government to restart its economic engine and allow the Syrian people and their regional neighbors to "not only survive, but thrive."