Tom Barrack promotes Middle East trade alignment cutting out Israel

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack recently promoted a new Middle East trade and security alignment centered on Iraq, Turkey, and neighboring Arab states, seemingly sidelining the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that included Israel. Speaking at the U.S.-Iraq Business Summit, Barrack stated that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is considering an agreement to shift trade from the Strait of Hormuz to overland routes, making the strait an "afterthought in two years." This proposal, which aligns Iraq with Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt, appears to be an alternative to the stalled IMEC, which has faced challenges since October 7, 2023. The State Department also welcomed cooperation between Iraq and Syria on rehabilitating their crude oil pipeline. Barrack praised this as a "brilliant realignment of security and strategic alliances in the region," with Iraq at the forefront.