The US Ambassador to Turkey and Syria said that Israel can “claim” to be a democracy, but should aspire towards “monarchy.”
“I don’t see a democracy [in the Middle East],” US envoy Tom Barrack told the Doha forum. “Israel can claim it’s a democracy but in this region, what’s worked the best, whether you like it or you don’t like it, is a benevolent monarchy.”
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: “Israel can claim it’s a democracy but in this region, what’s worked the best, whether you like it or you don’t like it, is a benevolent monarchy.” pic.twitter.com/CjJa6A4I6L
— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) December 7, 2025
It’s unclear what “benevolent” government in the region Barrack is referring to. The US partners with a number of kings, theocratic leaders, and military dictators in the region who commit horrific human rights abuses.
Israel rules over 13 million people, including the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, under military occupation. However, most Palestinians are now permitted to vote in Israeli elections. Human rights organizations have accused Tel Aviv of operating an apartheid regime in the West Bank and a genocide in Gaza.
Barrack also weighed in on the future of Syria, saying it was unreasonable to expect elections within the next year. A year ago, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a former al-Qaeda and ISIS leader, seized power in Damascus and declared himself president.
Washington has embraced Jolani, who now goes by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Barrack’s remarks suggest the White House does not plan to pressure the former al-Qaeda leader to allow Syrians to pick their next president.
