Tom Barrack reveals the regime he 'chose' for the Middle East

US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack made striking remarks regarding democracy in the Middle East. Arguing that the current forms of government in the region are more effective, Barrack said that the "benevolent monarchy" model is the most successful system operating in the Middle East.

SUPPORT FOR THE MONARCHY MODEL

Citing the example of Israel, Barrack suggested that democracies in the region have generally failed. "What has actually worked best in this region, whether you like it or not, has been a benevolent monarchy," Barrack said, noting that monarchy shapes the socio-political structure in the Middle East more efficiently.

SYRIA'S INTEGRATION PROCESS

Commenting on Syria, Barrack positively evaluated the efforts to unite the country's different communities and the management of the camps. Stating that Syria has achieved significant successes, Barrack said, "Syria has been successful in critical areas such as integrating all communities, maintaining the camps, and addressing the issue of chemical weapons. What they have done is heroic and epic. What we need to do is help them, encourage them, and support them on the path to the government they want to establish themselves."

Barrack opposed the West's efforts to impose democracy on the Middle East and argued that countries in this region should define their own systems. "We should not enter this region with the West's expectations of 'we want democracy in 12 months'," Barrack said, emphasizing that the conditions in the Middle East are different and that the West should offer guidance rather than demands.

CITED IRAQ AND LIBYA AS EXAMPLES

Citing the examples of Iraq and Libya, Barrack stated that Western impositions of democracy have been fruitless. "Everywhere Western countries have demanded parliamentary dialogue, the result has always ended in paralysis," Barrack said, expressing that such interventions usually lead to chaos. Barrack stated that the West should only provide direction to the region, adding that the best solution for Syria is to "let them find their own way."