Tom Barrack, the United States ambassador to Türkiye, has called for a fundamental change in how Washington engages with the Middle East, arguing the relationship should evolve "from control to support." In remarks outlining his view of U.S. policy, Barrack emphasized the need to recalibrate American posture toward regional actors.
He suggested that a supportive approach would prioritize enabling local institutions and partners rather than directing outcomes from abroad. That, he said, would involve moving away from a model in which the United States exerts direct control and toward one that strengthens the capacity and agency of Middle Eastern countries to manage their own affairs.
A shift of this kind would have implications across diplomatic, security and economic dimensions of U.S. engagement. Barrack’s comments point to greater emphasis on partnership-building and assistance, as opposed to unilateral action, and signal a recognition of limits to external influence in a region marked by complex political dynamics.
The ambassador’s remarks contribute to a wider discussion about the role the United States should play in the Middle East. Whether and how such a policy change would be translated into concrete initiatives or altered commitments remains a question for policymakers and allies to assess in coming debates.