Ambassador Tom Barrack, writing on October 13th, 2025, stated that Syria and Lebanon are the crucial next steps for achieving comprehensive Middle Eastern peace, following the accords reached in Sharm el-Sheikh. World leaders convened there to celebrate the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and the initiation of peace negotiations, endorsing President Donald J. Trump's twenty-point vision for regional renewal and prosperity. Barrack described the event as a "defining moment in modern Middle Eastern diplomacy," aiming to replace "paralysis with progress, and isolation with inclusion." According to Barrack's perspective, the Sharm el-Sheikh summit marked the emergence of a genuine consensus for cooperation in the Middle East, moving beyond a mere truce in Gaza to a broader "mosaic of partnership." He emphasized that stability is now envisioned through "shared opportunity" rather than "enforced through fear," and peace is seen as a "platform for prosperity." Barrack acknowledged that Gaza may still face "mishaps, speed bumps and violations of trust," but noted that regional nation-states have unanimously condemned terrorist practices within their borders for the first time in decades. Barrack identified Syria as "the missing piece of peace" in the regional architecture, characterizing it as a "symbol and test of whether this new regional order can truly endure." He argued that no peace tapestry can be complete while Syria, "one of the world’s oldest civilizations," remains in ruins. The ambassador suggested that the "winds of reconciliation" that began in Gaza must now extend to encompass Syria and, implicitly, Lebanon as well.
