The interview given by the US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, to Kathimerini brings back to the fore a series of discussions and assessments regarding Washington’s role in Greek-Turkish relations and the issue of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) demarcation in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Barrack, a member of Donald Trump’s inner circle, spoke openly about the US intention to act as a “bridge” between Greece and Turkey. This statement, combined with the environment of recent weeks, gives new content to the discussion about US mediation in the region.
“President Trump and I wondered if we could act as mortar, like what joins two bricks,” Barrack told Manolis Kostidis, describing a role that would go beyond traditional diplomatic mediation and rely more on creating stable and functional communication channels between the two countries.
Trump’s ‘drill babies’: key players in the Eastern Mediterranean
Barrack’s intervention comes at a time of increased activity in the Eastern Mediterranean: the recent Cyprus-Lebanon EEZ agreement, which caused displeasure in Ankara, and the Greek idea for a 5×5 forum are at the centre of discussions. Although the forum is still in its early stages, Barrack’s public position—according to some analyses—serves as an indication that the US is closely monitoring these initiatives and may seek a more active role if conditions allow.
Barrack repeatedly referred to the importance of institutional communication. “Everything starts with communication—and communication is fuelled by prosperity, not by fear,” he noted, explaining that a cooperation platform between the two countries, or even a wider regional arrangement, could contribute to restoring trust and creating a more stable outlook.
The US Ambassador’s thinking does not only concern ad hoc interventions but a more cohesive framework where the Eastern Mediterranean can function as a field of cooperation rather than a permanent source of tension. This prospect, he implied, requires a “new regional order” based on connectivity and economic benefit.
The ‘Caspian-Mediterranean Formula’ and Cyprus’s role
Barrack connected the current geopolitical picture of the Eastern Mediterranean to a historical narrative. He referred to the Silk Road and the routes that once connected East and West, arguing that this natural connectivity was cut short by the closed national systems that formed after 1919.
He placed the idea for a “Caspian to Mediterranean formula” within this context, which, in his view, could unlock large energy reserves and connect them to markets via Greece and Turkey. “Greece and Turkey are the gateway,” he said, noting that prosperity is what allows political complications to be overcome.
The American ambassador also focused on the role of Cyprus. “You cannot have an abscess in the middle of an otherwise healthy body,” he said, emphasising that Nicosia must be included in any overall settlement. This approach aligns with the American position in favour of solutions that consider the entire regional complex.
The role of Massad Boulos and informal channels
Barrack’s public statement rekindles a discussion that has intermittently occupied Greek media and circles in Athens: the potential role of Massad Boulos, Donald Trump’s in-law, as an informal communication channel in a future Greek-Turkish dialogue.
According to these assessments, the possibility of Boulos having a limited but distinct role in coordinating behind-the-scenes contacts is not considered entirely remote. This is a scenario that has been circulating in Athens for months and appears to gain interest after Barrack’s statements to Kathimerini.
The picture described by the US Ambassador regarding the need for a new, more flexible dialogue structure has been interpreted by some as an indication that the White House may be considering parallel channels, possibly through individuals belonging to Trump’s inner circle.
Circles in Athens estimate that Boulos has the profile of someone who could operate discreetly if there is political will. However, so far, there are no clear indications of any official assignment or specific American plan; it is more a possibility being monitored without confirmation.
In any case, the coexistence of individuals such as Barrack and Kimberly Guilfoyle in Trump’s inner circle forms—according to the assessments—an environment where Washington appears to have a flexible network of influence that could, if necessary, contribute to a more coordinated attempt at rapprochement between Athens and Ankara.