Semi related from Barrack's interview with Kathimerini (referred to as K in the piece) after his meeting with Bartholomew.
Tom Barrack in "K": Let's create a new order of things in the Eastern Mediterranean
Manolis Kostidis30.11.2025 • 10:00
The intention of the Trump administration to function as a "bridge" in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the personal interest of the American president in the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, is conveyed through his interview with "K" by the US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack
Tom Barrack and Manolis Kostidis outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate, after the meeting of the American diplomat with Patriarch Bartholomew. Mr. Barrack's visit to The Phanar was held on the occasion of the arrival of Pope Leo XIV for the Council of Nicaea.
The intention of the Trump administration to function as a "bridge" in Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the personal interest of the American president in the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, was conveyed through his interview with "K" by the United States Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack.
The conversation took place on the sidelines of Barrack's visit to the Phanar, where he was on the occasion of the Pope's arrival for the Council of Nicaea.
For the first time, in fact, the American diplomat refers to a specific timetable for the opening of Halki in September 2026.
- I wanted to ask you about the purpose of your visit and meeting with the Patriarch Bartholomew.
– The purpose of my visit, of course, is twofold. First, on the eve of the Pope’s presence for the anniversary of Nicaea – 1,700 years later – I want, on behalf of my president, to convey our congratulations, our appreciation and our deep friendship.
The second purpose is that, when His Holiness visited America and the president in the Oval Office, he raised the issue of the Halki Theological School,
which is of utmost importance to both President Trump and President Erdogan. So we wanted to follow up on progress and see if there is anything we can do to facilitate, accelerate, support the discussions, with the aim of leading to a
possible reopening of the School in September 2026.
So it was an excellent opportunity to be here with the Ecumenical Patriarch and supporters from all over the world, with bishops; I hope to receive some of this grace too.
– Do you know about Greek-Turkish relations? How do you think a road map should be drawn to improve them, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean?
– I think this is starting now. What we see in the world is a new dynamic, an attempt to leave the bitterness of the past aside and create a new framework. And this must start with Greece and Turkey. It makes no sense for two great countries, tied to each other, to still hold disputes over events that happened hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
Communication – Everything starts with communication. And communication is fueled more by prosperity than by fear. If Greece and Turkey come together, think of what could be created – for the people and their dreams.
We have great news America’s ambassador to Greece – she’s a very good friend of mine. We discussed it with President Trump; we wondered if we could act as a “mortar,” like the one that joins two bricks, to bring them closer in a new way, step by step. The time has come. It has to happen.
A new regional order, a new way of working together is necessary. And we hope that America can be a bridge. That’s our goal.
– Do you think that creating a forum between the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean could be a good roadmap?
– Absolutely. 100%. It should. It all starts with communication – and communication is fueled more by prosperity than by fear. If the two countries come together, think of what could be created: for the two countries, for all their people, for all their hopes and dreams. A new network of cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean – of unity, prosperity, a better life for children. This has to be done.
– You talked about a “formula” from the Caspian to the Mediterranean – a solution you mentioned in an interview. What do you mean?
– I look at the lessons of history – what we have learned from the past. So does my boss. The reason President Trump can have this comprehensive world view is because he studies history.
The Spice Road, the Silk Road connected the East to the West through three or four different routes. And on these prosperity roads an osmosis of cultures developed. This can happen again, but it has been blocked by the creation of nation-states after 1919. The idea that each country, each state is governed in a different way has not worked so well.
Cyprus – You cannot have an abscess in the center of an otherwise healthy body. Every part of that body has to be healed. And Cyprus is a crucial part of it. Our hope is that it will be included in the solution.
To create a new model of prosperity, think about it: we have the Caspian Sea with huge reserves of fossil fuels, cut off from the Mediterranean, where Greece and Turkey are the gateway. How is this gateway open? If you get rid of the political complications? And you get rid of the political complications when there is prosperity. That is our hope.
– Is Cyprus important for the region? For solving these problems?
– Of course. You cannot have an abscess in the center of an otherwise healthy body. Every part of that body needs to be healed.
And Cyprus is a crucial part of it. Our hope is that it will be included in the solution.
Την πρόθεση της κυβέρνησης Τραμπ να λειτουργήσει σαν «γέφυρα» στις ελληνοτουρκικές σχέσεις, καθώς και το προσωπικό ενδιαφέρον του Αμερικανού προέδρου για την επαναλειτουργία της Θεολογικής Σχολής της Χάλκης, μεταφέρει μέσω της συνέντευξής του στην «Κ» ο πρεσβευτής των ΗΠΑ στην Αγκυρα, Τομ Μπάρακ.
www.kathimerini.gr
Not much and it is short. He references his disdain for nation states again, mentions again the Zaihanist way of looking at things, that enough capital generation and "prosperity" can solve all issues. This mostly does work in the gulf, but I doubt it will really work on Greece and Turkey. There, US is always the one calling shots, here, Greece can always look to EU, look to Israel, Russia; and Turkey is Turkey.
So very interesting. He surely isn't suggesting the Hellenic Turkish confederation meme, but something very different. Where does this road leads us is anyone's guess.
www.aa.com.tr
