American envoy Tom Barrack. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'OLJ)
"Tom Barrack has an excellent reputation, both in business and politics. He is moderate, efficient and productive," said a well-connected source in Washington about Donald Trump's envoy to Syria and Lebanon. Barrack, who has also been the U.S. ambassador to Turkey since May 14, 2025 — an unusual dual role in the American administration — is nevertheless considered a novice in diplomacy, having spent most of his career in the business world.Now 78 years old, Barrack was born in Los Angeles, California. His grandparents, Christians from Zahle, emigrated to the U.S. at the end of the 19th century. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1969 and later a law doctorate from the University of San Diego in 1972. He began his career as a lawyer at the Herbert W. Kalmbach firm, where he notably served as...
"Tom Barrack has an excellent reputation, both in business and politics. He is moderate, efficient and productive," said a well-connected source in Washington about Donald Trump's envoy to Syria and Lebanon. Barrack, who has also been the U.S. ambassador to Turkey since May 14, 2025 — an unusual dual role in the American administration — is nevertheless considered a novice in diplomacy, having spent most of his career in the business world.Now 78 years old, Barrack was born in Los Angeles, California. His grandparents, Christians from Zahle, emigrated to the U.S. at the end of the 19th century. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1969 and later a law doctorate from the University of San Diego in 1972. He began his career as a lawyer at the Herbert W. Kalmbach firm, where he notably served...
