Tom Barrack

Caught Between the Hot Potato and the Pressure Cooker

Tom Barrack left exactly as he came, with the same uncertainties and delays. The American envoy must have been tearing his hair out (figuratively speaking) at the careless attitude he observed. The hot potato of disarmament has officially been passed on. “It’s an internal matter. The United States does not negotiate with an organization they ...

Barrack to This is Beirut: There Is a Sense of Readiness in Lebanon Towards Normalisation with Israel

As Lebanon teeters on the edge of another potential war, with Hezbollah’s arms drawing the country closer to full-scale conflict with Israel, a more existential question arises: Why does the Lebanese state continue to abdicate its constitutional responsibilities? Why is the government still unwilling, decades after the Taif Agreement, to assert ...

Barrack Urges Cabinet Action on Weapons Control

US Middle East envoy Tom Barrack called for continued dialogue and responsibility from Lebanon's leaders following a meeting with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai on Wednesday. Barrack on Wednesday reaffirmed Washington’s call for the exclusive control of arms by the Lebanese state, emphasizing that this principle is rooted in law and must be ...

Barrack: “America Will Not Abandon Lebanon”

US envoy Tom Barrack expressed optimism about Lebanon’s future on Tuesday, urging the Lebanese people to “have hope” amid ongoing tensions. Following a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh, Barrack described the talks as “excellent,” noting that both sides are working toward achieving long-term stability. “We ...

Barrack to Lebanon: Address Your Internal Issues!

Tom Barrack’s third visit to Lebanon warrants a careful reading between the lines—coming, as it does, after Beirut conveyed its message to Washington and received a US response. On his first trip, the US emissary was notably diplomatic and optimistic, speaking at length about Lebanon’s prospects. But that optimism was tempered ...

Barrack: Hezbollah Disarmament Is a Lebanese Internal Matter

US presidential envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Beirut on Sunday for his third official visit to Lebanon in recent weeks, signaling a ramp-up in diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Barrack began his meetings on Monday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, accompanied by US Ambassador Lisa ...

International Community Reacts to Israeli Strikes in Syria

The United States' special envoy for Syria on Wednesday called on all parties to step back and engage in dialogue for a lasting ceasefire in Syria following clashes with Druze factions in the south and Israeli strikes in Damascus. "We unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Sweida... All parties must step back and engage in ...

Barrack: Hezbollah Must Hand Over Weapons That Threaten Israel

Washington made clear on Monday, via its envoy Tom Barrack, that the disarmament of Hezbollah should focus specifically on “weapons that threaten Israel’s security.” Barrack stressed in a statement that the United States continues to classify Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and called on the Lebanese government to take the lead in ...

The Syrian Bogeyman: A Cover for Hezbollah’s Weapons

As part of its ongoing campaign to justify keeping its weapons outside state authority, Hezbollah has been circulating claims of Syrian troop build-ups along Lebanon’s eastern border and alleged infiltrations of extremist fighters into Lebanese territory. On multiple occasions, the Lebanese Army has swiftly and unequivocally denied these reports ...

Barrack Warns Lebanon Faces “Existential Threat” if Hezbollah Issue Left Unresolved

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned that Lebanon faces an "existential threat" if it fails to address the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons in an interview with the Emirati media outlet The National published Friday. He called on Lebanese leaders to take urgent action or risk the country falling back under regional influence. After ...