On August 21, 2025, a pivotal phone conversation took place between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and French President Emmanuel Macron, marking an important moment for diplomatic engagement in a region riven by conflict and shifting alliances. Requested by the French side, the call covered a range of pressing topics: the evolving bilateral relationship between Turkey and France, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As reported by Anadolu Agency, President Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to facilitating a just peace in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, emphasizing that his government is "closely monitoring the contacts in Alaska and Washington"—a nod to the international dimensions of the peace process. He went further, expressing Turkey’s readiness to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, reinforcing Ankara’s desire to play a constructive, mediating role in the region.
But the conversation didn’t stop at Eastern Europe. Turning to the Middle East, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, where, as he put it, "a major humanitarian disaster is occurring." He stressed the necessity of reining in what he described as Israel’s "accelerated plans to occupy Gaza," underscoring the urgency of international intervention to prevent further escalation. The two leaders agreed to follow up on these discussions at the upcoming United Nations Summit in New York, signaling their intent to keep the dialogue alive on the world stage.
Equally significant was Erdoğan’s emphasis on deepening cooperation between Turkey and France, particularly in the defense industry. He made it clear that both countries would continue "to take steps to advance relations in many areas," suggesting that, despite tensions elsewhere, Ankara and Paris see value in strengthening their partnership. This renewed focus on bilateral ties comes at a time when the region’s security architecture is under strain, with multiple conflicts threatening to spill across borders.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, another diplomatic shift has been making waves. On August 22, 2025, an opinion piece published by Anadolu Agency examined the impact of Thomas Barrack, the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Representative for Syria. Barrack’s arrival in Ankara was described as a breath of fresh air, with the author likening it to "the abrupt, unexpected appearance of spring." In a 30-minute interview on Turkey’s NTV news channel, Barrack outlined a fundamentally different U.S. approach to Syria, acknowledging that "Western powers have wanted to manipulate this region for their own purposes." According to Anadolu, Barrack has been vocal in criticizing previous U.S. policies toward the Eastern Mediterranean as "built largely on ignorance, supercilious dishonesty, and greed," promising a new era of engagement characterized by "greater awareness and humility."
Barrack’s new approach, however, has not been without controversy. As noted in the opinion piece, there have been concerted efforts within Washington to brand him as "some sort of traitor or anti-Israel malefactor" due to his stance on Syria and his willingness to challenge Israeli interests in the region. Despite his long-standing relationship with President Donald Trump and Trump’s own desire to avoid new entanglements in Syria, Barrack’s position remains precarious, as "Trump’s mercurial character and his tendency to be swayed by whoever most recently has his ear mean that Barrack’s standing in Washington will require close attention."
The real test of Barrack’s diplomatic skills has emerged in Syria, a country that remains a nexus of regional and international conflict. Appointed by President Trump as Special Representative for Syria, Barrack has been tasked with promoting the country’s stability and development—an uphill battle given the complex web of interests at play. On July 19, 2025, Barrack met with Mazlum Abdi, leader of the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF), to discuss the integration of SDF units into the Syrian military. The meeting resulted in a cautiously worded announcement, but within days, the SDF leadership released contradictory statements, and tensions quickly escalated. By August 9, the Syrian government withdrew from U.S. and France-sponsored talks in Paris, further complicating the path to peace.
Amid these developments, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan issued a stark warning, demanding that the SDF begin the integration process immediately or face "concerted action on multiple fronts." At the same time, Ankara and Damascus signed several security agreements, signaling a rare alignment of interests between the two governments. Reports in The National and other outlets indicate that military action against the SDF is imminent if integration does not proceed, raising the specter of renewed violence in northern Syria.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, for his part, has called for unification "through dialogue and compromise, not through force," insisting that "no actors have the ability to divide Syria, so peaceful compromise is the most constructive route for all Syrians." His comments reflect a broader consensus among Syria’s neighbors—Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan—all of whom are eager to see a stable and unified Syria that can contribute to regional prosperity. Yet, as Anadolu points out, this vision stands in direct opposition to the policies of Israel, whose government continues to occupy the Golan Heights, support anti-Damascus factions, and carry out airstrikes across Syria. The article argues that Israel’s current government is "determined to prevent Syria’s unification and economic development," putting it at odds with the interests of most of Syria’s immediate neighbors.
Barrack’s challenge, then, is formidable: to promote policies that will aid Syria’s stability and development, and to ensure that President Trump supports these initiatives despite strong opposition from Israel and entrenched interests in Washington. As the opinion piece notes, "Can Barrack stave off the anti-Syrian and anti-Türkiye forces in Washington long enough for Syria to achieve political and social stability?" It’s a question that looms large as the region faces another round of diplomatic maneuvering and potential military escalation.
Against this backdrop, the phone conversation between Erdoğan and Macron takes on added significance. With Turkey positioning itself as a mediator in both the Ukraine-Russia war and the Syrian conflict, and with new actors like Ambassador Barrack pushing for a recalibration of U.S. policy, the Eastern Mediterranean is once again at the center of global attention. As leaders prepare to gather at the United Nations Summit in New York, the stakes could hardly be higher—for Turkey, for France, for the United States, and for the millions of people whose lives hang in the balance.
In a region where history rarely stands still, the coming weeks will reveal whether these latest diplomatic overtures can translate into lasting progress, or whether old divisions will once again take center stage.
