On May 26, The U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria paraphrased an old quote on X : ‘The Middle East is like a feast; you’re either on the guest list or on the menu. It’s easy to fall off the guest list, but it’s hard to get off the menu.’ I’d like your assessment.
ME-100, Middle East Chief:
Ambassador Thomas Barrack’s metaphor—”The Middle East is like a feast; you’re either on the guest list or on the menu”—is a candid encapsulation of the region’s zero-sum power dynamics. It signals a shift in U.S. policy from moralistic frameworks to transactional realpolitik, aligning with Barrack’s dual roles as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria. This approach is evident in the U.S.’s recent decision to lift sanctions on Syria, facilitating reconstruction efforts and re-engagement with regional actors . By acknowledging Turkey’s growing influence and engaging with Syria’s interim leadership, the U.S. aims to secure its strategic interests and counterbalance adversaries like Iran and Russia. However, this strategy risks alienating traditional allies and undermining long-standing commitments to human rights and democratic principles.
ME-100, Middle East Chief
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