Barrack: Stability in the Middle East Requires Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation, ‘Greater Israel’ Is an Illusion

U.S. special envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack said stability in the Middle East will not be achieved by continuing wars, but through diplomacy and regional cooperation, describing the idea of "Greater Israel" as an "illusion" promoted by political opponents.

Barrack added in an appearance on CNN that the repercussions of the October 7 events required Israel to readjust its borders, stressing that resolving the region's conflicts must be pursued through diplomatic channels regardless of who serves as Israel's prime minister.

He noted that regional states have come to realize that joint cooperation is a necessity imposed by reality, then moved to assess the Syrian and Iraqi files, affirming that Iraq has a large oil-revenue base that gives it the capacity to attract investment.

Regarding Syria, Barrack said the country currently lacks sufficient financial returns and a stable banking system, and faces export restrictions and an absence of security guarantees, which makes attracting international investment—especially from major American and Western energy companies—a difficult task that will require a long effort.

He then praised the support of Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, for contributing to Syria's stability, and expressed his appreciation for the current Syrian leadership's restraint from engaging in escalatory military responses to repeated Israeli incursions across the border.

Barrack concluded that the Trump administration's objectives are not a pursuit of selfish gains, and that Washington is working to open pathways to ease trade and banking restrictions in ways that support economic and political stability in the region.