In a significant diplomatic step, Thomas Barrack, the new U.S. envoy to Syria, emphasizes nonaggression agreements with Israel during his inaugural visit.
**New Diplomatic Era: U.S. Envoy's Historic Visit to Syria**
**New Diplomatic Era: U.S. Envoy's Historic Visit to Syria**
The first American flag raised in Damascus symbolizes a new chapter in U.S.-Syria relations as envoy Thomas Barrack calls for dialogue.
On May 29, 2025, the new U.S. envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, made a symbolic visit to the country, marking a notable shift in diplomatic relations as he called for the establishment of a nonaggression pact with Israel. This visit follows President Trump's recent announcement about lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, coinciding with a diplomatic meeting in Saudi Arabia with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last year.
During his visit to the Syrian capital, Barrack raised the American flag at the U.S. ambassador's residence for the first time in over ten years, a powerful symbol of renewed relations. He engaged in discussions with al-Shara and other government officials, including those from defense and interior ministries. In statements to the press, Barrack reiterated Trump's call for normalization of relations between Syria and Israel, encouraging dialogue in what he described as a "solvable problem."
"We need to start with just a nonaggression agreement, talk about boundaries and borders," Barrack said, emphasizing the importance of communication in rebuilding relations. This diplomatic engagement aims to foster stability and cooperation in a region long marked by tension and conflict.
