Friday, April 17th 2026
US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack today called for alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure energy security, warning that global supply systems are shifting from “just in time” to “just in case”, Anadolu reports.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Barrack, who also serves as a special envoy to Xi, said growing geopolitical risks and instability is forcing countries to rethink how energy and critical resources are transported.
The forum, hosted by Turkey, brings together global leaders and policymakers to address geopolitical, economic and security challenges.
Barrack pointed out that while sea routes have long been preferred for their flexibility, key points like the Strait of Hormuz expose global energy flows to a risk of He said this change is increasing the importance of alternative routes and regional corridors, highlighting Turkey and Syria as central transit hubs for energy, data and trade flows. “Everything comes through Turkey and Syria,” he said, referring to the movement of oil, gas, fiber optics and other resources. Azerbaijan, Armenia and beyond, suggesting that east-west energy and trade flows may increasingly pass through these routes.
Barrack emphasized that long-term stability and secure supply chains depend on regional cooperation and economic harmonization rather than conflict.
Linking energy security to broader regional dynamics, Barrack argued that lasting stability cannot be achieved through military means alone.
“When you have a sovereign nation like Iran supporting a militia, you can’t get rid of that militia by killing it,” he said. “It’s the same philosophy in every country. You have to start with prosperity, from the individual to the family to the tribe to the community,” he added.
“This idea of kinetically eliminating your enemy doesn’t work,” he said, warning that it only fosters long-term instability.
He went on to stress that the Abraham Accords “ultimately are the answer,” in the region.
– Syria as an ‘experiment’ in the approach of re
Barrack cited Syria as an example of changing regional dynamics, describing it as an unexpected result of diplomatic and geopolitical changes.
He said developments in the country reflect a broader move toward cooperation involving regional actors, the US and its allies, rather than traditional military intervention.
According to Barrack, Washington has reduced its military footprint in Syria, marking a departure from decades of politics, while regional actors have taken a greater role in shaping outcomes.
“Syria under the al-Sharaa regime has never fired at Israel,” Barrack said, adding that the Syrians “have repeatedly said they are willing to talk.”
“I bet we will reach a normalization agreement with Syria sooner than with Lebanon,” he added.
Barrack underlined the strategic importance of Turkey in this new regional framework, describing it as a key economic and geopolitical actor.
He said that Turkey stands out as “a real country” with strong institutions, military capacity and economic infrastructure, positioning it at the center of new trade and energy routes.
The envoy also suggested that a broader regional line, including possible cooperation between Turkey, Israel and the Gulf countries, could unlock stability and economic growth.
“Israel united with Turkey, just like Israel united with Abu Dhabi, just like Saudi Arabia can be united with Israel, for the prosperity of the Israeli people, to me, that’s the answer,” he said.
“So I think that rhetoric will disappear. Turkey is not a country to mess with,” he added.
Regarding the broader conflicts regional, Barrack emphasized that inclusion, rather than exclusion, is the key to solving crises, especially in areas such as Gaza and Lebanon.
He said that actors such as Turkey can play a constructive role because of their ability to engage with different parties. “Engagement is the only answer. Exclusion is short-term,” he said.
He argued that the engagement of regional actors like Turkey is essential, noting their ability to communicate with different parties and mediate complex conflicts.
Barrack also criticized the reliance on force in conflict zones, warning that it creates long-term instability rather than solutions. sustainable.
“The generational hatred that comes from conflict is irreplaceable,” he said, calling instead for dialogue and economic opportunity.
He concluded that the future of the region depends on aligning interests, securing supply routes and prioritizing prosperity over confrontation as the global system adjusts to growing insecurity.
Barrack also addressed Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon, stressing that the group cannot to be eliminated simply through military action.
He emphasized that Hezbollah is not only an armed group, but also has political representation, making the issue deeply embedded in the social and political fabric of Lebanon.
Barrack argued that efforts to weaken such groups through force alone are ineffective, especially when there is external support.
He added that ongoing conflict, including Israeli military action, could strengthen the justification for group among local populations.
Barrack also touched on long-term defense tensions between Turkey and the US, particularly over Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 system.
“Turkey, after the coup, bought a Russian S-400 defense system, Congress then imposed sanctions,” he said, arguing that such measures are ineffective. “Sanctions, in my humble opinion, they’re not working.” He said ties between the two NATO allies are improving, noting that U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “sat down,” adding that “Halkbank is now fine” and talks on F-16 fighter jets are continuing.
“The alliance is being rebuilt,” Barrack said. He expressed optimism that the dispute could be resolved soon, saying: “I think you will see this situation with the S-400 resolved soon”.
Barrack signaled possible progress in Turkey’s return to advanced defense programs, noting that “from my boss’s point of view, getting into an F-35 program is OK”.
By comparison, he added that: “Greece has S-300 and F-35”.
We use cookies to improve the experience and to display ads (Google AdSense).
By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the use of cookies according to
Privacy Policy
and
Cookies Policy.
You can reject non-necessary cookies by clicking “Reject”.
Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
