Delilah D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 26: In what is being seen as a watershed moment in American foreign policy towards the Middle East, newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, declared an end to Western dominance in the region, stating that the time has come for Middle Eastern nations to chart their own course, free from foreign intervention.

Taking to social media platform X, Barrack made a strong reference to the infamous 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, calling it a “grave historical error” that divided the Middle East for the benefit of colonial powers, not peace. “A century ago, the West imposed maps, mandates, penciled borders, and foreign rule. Sykes-Picot divided Syria and the broader region for imperial gain—not peace. That mistake cost generations. We will not make it again,” he wrote.

Barrack’s remarks echo sentiments expressed earlier by former U.S. President Donald Trump during his speech in Riyadh on May 13. Trump had strongly asserted that the days of Western lectures and interventions in the region were over, stressing the importance of autonomy and regional self-determination.

The comments come shortly after a historic meeting in Riyadh between Trump and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa—the first direct engagement between the U.S. and Syria in 25 years. Following this high-level dialogue, the United States announced the removal of long-standing sanctions on Syria. A general license has also been issued to ease financial restrictions, paving the way for humanitarian aid and investment in Syria’s reconstruction.

In a coordinated move, the European Union has followed the U.S. lead and lifted its own economic sanctions on Syria, signalling a larger international shift towards reintegration and rebuilding.

Addressing the press after his meeting with President al-Sharaa in Istanbul on May 24, Barrack emphasized that the U.S. no longer seeks to dictate terms, but to act as a supportive partner in the region’s progress. “The era of Western interference is over. The future belongs to regional solutions, to partnerships, and to diplomacy grounded in mutual respect,” he stated.

Barrack described Syria’s devastating civil war as a consequence of prolonged division and emphasized that the path forward must be one of dignity, unity, and investment in the Syrian people. “That begins with truth and accountability—by working with the region, not around it,” he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also lent his voice to the new diplomatic approach, affirming Washington’s support for Syria’s new leadership and stressing the need for stability. “Stability in Syria is essential not just for Syrians, but for the entire region,” he remarked, underlining the importance of sustained international support.

As Syria emerges from a dark chapter of conflict, the message from Washington is unambiguous: The future of the Middle East lies not in foreign hands, but in the strength, unity, and leadership of its own people.