Tom Barrack

Money Moves

As of September 2026: Reassured Ankara over Golden Global Bank sanctions

The Treasury cut Golden Global Bank off from the US financial system on September 4, blocking dollar transactions and freezing US-based assets. It is the first time Operation Economic Outcast, Washington's renewed pressure campaign against Iran, has targeted a bank in a NATO ally. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the European Union has joined the operation and warned more banks would face the same treatment.

Updated Sep 6

Force in Play

As of August 2026: Said Israel gave no warning before the Abu al-Duhur strike; pushing a deconfliction channel through US mediation

Syria and Israel held US-mediated talks in Jordan on August 23, the highest-level session yet between the two governments. Syria's foreign minister led a delegation that included army and intelligence chiefs, but the meeting did not stop the attacks: Israel bombed targets near Damascus and in Lebanon days later.

Updated Aug 27

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading US diplomatic efforts on Syria transition

The United States began bombing ISIS targets in Syria in September 2014. Eleven years later, Washington announced it will withdraw all remaining troops within two months—ending a ground presence that once numbered over 2,000 soldiers. The withdrawal follows a series of changes: Assad's fall in December 2024, the rise of an HTS-led government, and an agreement integrating American Kurdish allies into Syria's national army.

Updated May 29

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Mediating SDF-Syrian government negotiations

The SDF has guarded roughly 9,000 ISIS fighters and 38,000 of their family members since the caliphate collapsed in 2019. On January 20, 2026, when Syrian government forces took control of Al-Shaddadi prison, a gap in the handover let between 120 and 200 detainees escape; most were quickly recaptured. The incident exposed how fragile the world's largest ISIS detention system is, prompting the U.S. to transfer detainees to Iraq on January 21, starting with 150 in a mission that could relocate up to 7,000.

Updated May 22

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Brokered second ceasefire agreement; declared end of US long-term military commitment to SDF

Syria's 13-month standoff over Kurdish autonomy ended on January 18, 2026, when Damascus and the SDF signed a 14-point agreement dissolving the Kurdish autonomous administration. The agreement came after Syrian forces captured the al-Omar oilfield, Tabqa dam, and Raqqa city in a lightning offensive, forcing the SDF to withdraw east of the Euphrates and hand over all three northeastern provinces.

Updated May 22

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Mediated ceasefire collapsed January 20 after al-Sharaa-Mazloum talks failed; four-day ceasefire announced through January 24

The five-hour meeting collapsed on January 20. Syrian President al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi met in Damascus for the highest-level direct talks since the January 18 ceasefire.

Updated May 20