By: Ayman Okeil
If there were a prize for the most controversial figure in September, it would undoubtedly go to Mr. Tom Barrack, the American envoy to Syria. This American, of immigrant origins, is said to have grown up in the Lebanese city of Zahle, which he recently visited during a conference. There, he referred to journalists present at the Lebanese presidential palace as “uncivilized, chaotic animals.” He also claimed that the behavior of journalists reflects the state of the region—referring, of course, to the Middle East. Although he later apologized for his remarks about the journalists and the region, he stirred controversy once again with another statement, asserting that “the Middle East had no nations, only villages and clans.”
Mr. Barrack believes that the only solution to end wars and achieve stability in the region is economic prosperity. His contradictory statements and repeated apologies reflect his scattered state and a personality that seems to think only in terms of business deals, much like his friend and boss, Donald Trump. Barrack has been a close friend of Trump for nearly 49 years. You might recall when he stood amidst the crowd at a conference in Ohio in 2016, stating, “I’m here because Trump is one of my closest friends for 40 years.” Despite this, Barrack has faced criticism from some of Trump’s close associates and within the Republican Party, who believe his expertise is limited to leveraging political connections for financial gain. Some have even labeled him “Little Trump,” as he relies on personal relationships while belittling institutions.
I do not claim to be an expert in body language or behavior analysis, but my impression of Tom Barrack is that he possesses a hard heart. Whether this is his true nature or an act, this description is based on his statements or tweets on platform X (formerly Twitter). In a television interview in September 2025 with an Arab channel, Barrack stated, “Peace is just an illusion.” Simply rejecting peace in all its dimensions signifies a hardness of heart.
I believe that Barrack and the American administration do not see peace in the Middle East as unattainable; rather, they question whether peace is beneficial for them. When current conflicts end or do not reignite, and harmony and peaceful coexistence prevail, how will the arms industry thrive? How will these nations maintain their guardianship over others, and how will arms companies make billions? I leave that question for you to answer.
It is evident that the rising revenues of arms companies are almost entirely linked to the continuation and escalation of wars. Thus, the issue is not that peace is elusive, as Tom Barrack believes, but rather that those who have the power to create peace think that the gains from conflicts surpass those from peace.
Peace will not be achieved in the Middle East, whether in Syria, Lebanon, or elsewhere, through the business deals that Tom Barrack or his boss Trump excel at. Peace requires a long path, where nations adhere to international law, the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, and human dignity above all else. These principles are enshrined in the Geneva Conventions, Security Council resolutions, and are rooted in the United Nations Charter. I remind you of what President Trump said during the 80th General Assembly session, where he criticized the United Nations for allegedly rejecting an offer to renovate its building for $400 million while accepting another offer for $4 billion. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Trump used misleading information to promote his claims. Therefore, it seems that Barrack, like Trump, is among the hard-hearted who have no qualms about using false statistics or distorting historical facts to achieve personal or political objectives. I hope others do not follow this path.
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