EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack is responding to criticism after his comments, which some interpreted as likening Israel to Hezbollah, asserting that his statements were grounded in “realism” rather than signaling a shift in U.S. policy.

Barrack had seemingly compared America’s key Middle Eastern ally with a group labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S. He also suggested that Turkey should soon be allowed back into the F-35 program, despite its acquisition of Russia’s S-400 system, and claimed that only “strong leadership regimes” have thrived in the region.

In a set of exclusive written responses to Fox News Digital, Barrack dismissed the notion that he was easing the administration’s position on Hezbollah or Iran, emphasizing that President Donald Trump’s strategy of “peace through strength” calls for a more practical approach to the Middle East.

U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrack is addressing criticism over remarks perceived as comparing Israel and Hezbollah. (Hussein Malla/AP)

Fox News Digital: At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, you referred to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire as a “time out” and mentioned that “everyone has been equally untrustworthy.” How do you justify this view considering Hezbollah’s classification as a terrorist organization by the U.S.?

Does your statement that the goal is “not killing Hezbollah” reflect any shift from the previous “maximum pressure” approach toward a strategy of containment or political inclusion?

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack: Let me be very clear about my remarks at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17.

When I described the Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire as a ‘time out’ and said that ‘everybody has been equally untrustworthy,’ I was simply stating the obvious reality on the ground. This is realism, not criticism of any side. 

The November 2024 ceasefire and the recent April 2026 ceasefire have repeatedly proven fragile because all parties — Israel, Hezbollah and their backers — have tested the limits in the past. Historical patterns of violations, rearmament and proxy escalation confirm that mutual mistrust is the core challenge.

That mutual mistrust is exactly why this administration brokered the ceasefire in the first place: to stop the senseless killing, create breathing room and build a monitored, enforceable path forward that strengthens Lebanese sovereignty and Israeli security.

This characterization in no way softens our ironclad position: Hezbollah is a designated terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of Americans and countless acts of destabilization. 

We have never trusted them. We acknowledge that within Lebanon itself, the Hezbollah political party is differentiated from Hezbollah the terrorist group, which holds parliamentary seats within the Lebanese government. Political trust in that regard will have to be earned.

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, April 17, 2026.  (Umit Bektas/Reuters)

My point was straightforward: durable peace requires confronting that mistrust head-on, not pretending it does not exist. This approach fully supports President Trump’s policy of maximum pressure on Iran and its proxies while delivering real results: positioning us to degrade Hezbollah’s terrorist capabilities through a combination of enforcement, Lebanese state authority and the renewal of an economy that can provide a new era of hope to Lebanese communities in both the north and south.

On the goal not being ‘killing Hezbollah,’ I stand by every word. After decades in the region, you cannot eliminate an embedded militia solely by kinetic means when a sovereign state like Iran continues to arm and fund it. Pure ‘mowing the lawn’ has never worked. To the contrary, it often fuels recruitment and prolongs conflict.

Our objective has always been to degrade Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure to the point where diplomacy and a sovereign Lebanese government can take over under Lebanon’s confessional system, reflecting Christian, Sunni and Shiite interests. This is not a shift toward containment or political inclusion of a terrorist group. It is the same ‘maximum pressure plus smart diplomacy’ playbook this administration has used successfully against ISIS and other threats.

We continue to back Israel’s right to defend itself decisively, as Secretary Rubio explicitly affirmed in the current ceasefire terms, while also pushing for an end to the idiocy of endless war. Stopping the bleeding first, then enforcing the win. That is exactly what President Trump and Secretary Rubio achieved with this ceasefire.

No policy changes whatsoever. Just clear, effective execution.

Tom Barrack, U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, meets Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Baabda, east of Beirut, on July 7, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office/AP)

Fox News Digital: You described the dispute over Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program as “insane” and suggested the Russian S-400 issue could be resolved within months.

What specific safeguards regarding possession and operability are under consideration to satisfy Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act and address concerns that the Russian S-400 system could compromise sensitive F-35 technology? How do you respond to members of Congress who have threatened to oppose F-16 upgrades or any future F-35 transfer to Turkey until your comments regarding Hezbollah and Israel are clarified?

(For example, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who responded directly to Barrack’s April 2026 remarks by saying Turkey would not receive either F-35s or F-16s. Scott wrote that Turkey “funds Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, hates Israel, and loves Russia and Iran,” adding: “Good luck buying F-35s, F-16s, and other American-made defense platforms.)

Barrack: Calling the prolonged impasse “insane” is blunt common sense. It highlights exactly why the administration is right to pursue a resolution: NATO unity against Russia and China is a core U.S. national security interest.

Turkey remains a vital ally, hosting critical U.S. assets, contributing to NATO missions and countering shared threats. Sanctions and exclusion from the F-35 program, triggered by the S-400 purchase, have strained ties unnecessarily while Russia benefits from the wedge.

The S-400 issue can and should be resolved within months through surgical diplomacy from Secretary Rubio, grounded in the strong personal relationship between President Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Let me be explicit: any resolution will fully satisfy Section 1245 of the NDAA. That means verifiable cessation of possession and operability of the Russian S-400 system, with formal certifications from the secretaries of Defense and State confirming there is no risk of compromise to sensitive F-35 technology.

There will be no shortcuts on American security standards. What I am signaling is that real breakthroughs are imminent: restoring Turkey’s role in the F-35 ecosystem, strengthening NATO interoperability, boosting U.S. industry and denying Russia leverage.

This is classic Trump deal-making: enforce the law, protect our technology and rebuild alliances that advance American strength.

In every one of these statements, I am speaking directly in support of this administration’s foreign policy. We believe in peace through strength, candid assessment of realities and delivering results that protect U.S. interests without dragging America into endless conflicts.

These comments reflect that approach: maximum leverage against terrorists, pragmatic engagement with key partners like Turkey and a clear-eyed path to greater stability in a volatile region.”

Another point of contention was Barrack’s repeated argument that strong centralized rule, rather than Western-style democracy, has been the most successful model in the Middle East. Reiterating comments he had made previously, Barrack said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17: “The only thing that’s worked, the only thing, are these powerful leadership regimes: either benevolent monarchies, the kind of monarchical republic.

Turkey was removed from the American F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which U.S. officials warned could allow Moscow to gather intelligence on the stealth fighter. 

Under Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act, Turkey cannot rejoin the program unless the president certifies to Congress that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the S-400 and that the system poses no risk to the F-35.

Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa met with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack at the People’s Palace in Damascus on Jan. 18, 2026. (Syrian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu)

Fox News Digital: You said that “powerful leadership regimes” are the only structures that have worked in the Middle East. 

Does that statement reflect a broader shift away from longstanding U.S. support for democratic governance and human rights in the region?

Barrack: When I said that ‘powerful leadership regimes,’ whether benevolent monarchies or the kind of monarchical republics seen elsewhere in the region, are the only structures that have actually worked in the Middle East, I was speaking from decades of hard-earned observation, not ideology.

Look at the track record. Countries that tried to adopt Western-style democracy quickly after the Arab Spring largely failed, often descending into chaos, civil war or new forms of authoritarianism.

Meanwhile, stable, results-oriented leadership in places like the Gulf monarchies has delivered security, economic growth, modernization and real improvements in people’s lives.

Israel, which one can rightly point to as a vibrant democracy in the region, stands as a notable outlier that has thrived under extremely strong, bold leadership capable of delivering security and prosperity under extraordinary challenges, even as some critics describe it as a “flawed democracy.”

Turkey, operating as a presidential republic with regular multiparty elections, also demonstrates how strong, centralized leadership under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has delivered stability, economic dynamism and assertive regional influence, though critics have described it as a hybrid regime with strong authoritarian tendencies.

This is not a change in U.S. policy away from supporting democratic governance and human rights. It is a realistic assessment of what produces stability so that human rights and prosperity can take root.

Warren Stephens, Tom Barrack, and Tilman Fertitta sit for their confirmation hearings. (Getty Images)

President Trump’s approach has always been peace through strength: deal with the world as it is, not as we wish it to be. We support effective governance that prevents chaos, counters terrorism and creates conditions for long-term progress.

That includes backing strong, accountable leaders who deliver for their people, whether in monarchies that have modernized successfully or in evolving systems that prioritize security and opportunity over imported models that have repeatedly collapsed.

Lindsey Vonn, the renowned American skier, was seen being assisted in a wheelchair through Los Angeles airport recently, as she continues to recuperate from a severe crash at the Winter Olympics.

The 41-year-old skiing icon has spent several months recovering from multiple surgeries following a devastating fall during her downhill final at the Milan Cortina Games in February.

In a remarkable feat, Vonn made a comeback at the Milan Cortina Games but suffered a severe broken leg just 13 seconds into her women’s downhill final on February 8. This incident came after she had already torn her ACL prior to the competition.

Despite these setbacks, Vonn has shown impressive progress, even sharing a video of herself working out in the gym last month. However, it seems she is yet to fully regain her mobility.

On Sunday, Vonn was photographed being wheeled through the airport, underscoring the ongoing nature of her recovery journey.

The former Olympic Champion kept it relaxed in an all-black athleisure wear ensemble, prioritizing comfort for her travels. 

A fatigued-looking Lindsey Vonn was spotted being pushed through Los Angeles airport

The Olympic champion was in a wheelchair as she continues her recovery from a brutal crash

Vonn, who appeared to be wearing minimal makeup, had her pair of crutches resting over her lap, while her wheelchair was pushed by a member of airport staff. 

As she arrived at the gate for boarding, she was seen resting a $4,000 navy Louis Vuitton duffle bag with the fashion house’s signature monogram print in white on her lap.

Vonn’s assisted outing came just days after she admitted to battling mental health struggles in the wake of her accident. 

After the first of her five surgeries, Vonn suffered from compartment syndrome which left doctors facing a race against time to avoid having to amputate the limb.

Following multiple surgeries in both Italy and the United States, the skiing legend was allowed to return home to Utah on March 1, almost a month after the crash happened.

Vonn has since proven that she has bounced back faster than fans expected with regular updates on her progress. Earlier this month, she managed to walk for the first time since the crash.

But speaking to People Magazine, Vonn revealed how crushing it was in isolation as she recovered from the injuries.

‘It’s definitely been up and down,’ she told the outlet – revealing that she suffered from depression in the loneliness.

Vonn clipped the gate on her second turn and ended up breaking her leg in a violent wreck

Vonn needed five surgeries in total after she came dangerously close to losing her leg

‘I’d say in the last month, it’s definitely gotten better, but of course there were really low moments. I hate being dependent on people, and was pretty much 100% dependent for everything,’ Vonn added.

‘It was quite a challenge, just being in the hospital alone for two and a half weeks. Being completely immobile for that extended time period was so rough.’

In the time she had to herself, the only thing Vonn had to pass the time was her phone – which led to her scrolling endlessly through social media to read what others said about her. 

‘There were a million things that were being said online, that people were so convinced that they knew even though they don’t really have a concept of ski racing, and what it physically takes,’ the 41-year-old told the outlet. 

‘So I think reading all of that online was hard. Of course, I tried not to read it, but I also didn’t really have any other way of being connected to the outside world, because I was so isolated.’

With Vonn laid up in bed, she admitted to replying to some of the critiques of her effort to race down the mountain on a previously torn ACL.

Vonn tore her ACL in Switzerland the week before the Olympics, but chose to compete anyway in a controversial and scrutinized decision. 

‘Sometimes I got frustrated and, you know, had a hard time staying away from battling trolls on Twitter,’ she said, jokingly. 

‘But sometimes you just gotta stand up for yourself. And I maybe did that a few too many times, but it’s hard.’

Deandre Ayton’s night came to an abrupt end during Game 4 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

The incident occurred midway through the third quarter when Ayton inadvertently struck Alperen Sengun in the face with his left elbow. The referees immediately called a foul and proceeded to review the play. Initially, it seemed like a clear case for a flagrant one foul due to the hard and somewhat reckless nature of the contact. However, after several minutes of deliberation, the officials upgraded it to a flagrant two foul, leading to Ayton’s ejection from the game.

In their assessment, the referees concluded that Ayton’s elbow was not merely careless but carried an element of intent, warranting the harsher penalty. Ayton, along with several of his Lakers teammates, appeared taken aback by the ruling, insisting to the officials that the contact was unintentional.

A woman from New York has been found guilty after she allegedly hurled a homemade dynamite stick at her sleeping boyfriend, resulting in the loss of his hand as he tried to dispose of the explosive device.

The jury convicted 35-year-old Keyonna Waddell from Deer Park, Long Island, on charges of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon related to the incident that occurred in March 2024.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office reported that in the months leading up to the attack, Waddell had repeatedly threatened the victim with dynamite.

Keyonna Waddell, 35, was found guilty by a jury on Friday of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal possession of a weapon. (Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)

“This case highlights the perilous nature of domestic violence, emphasizing how quickly situations can escalate to lethal outcomes,” stated Raymond Tierney, the Suffolk County District Attorney, in an official release.

On March 22, 2024, Waddell and her boyfriend were involved in an argument inside his apartment, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

After the dispute, the man left the apartment and told Waddell to leave. When he arrived back home, Waddell did not appear to be there, and he went to sleep.

Keyonna Waddell had threatened the victim with dynamite several times in the months leading up to the incident, prosecutors said. (Getty Images)

He was later woken up by a hissing sound and noticed a flame on the floor of his bedroom. He then realized that a stick of dynamite had been thrown into his bedroom and attempted to toss the explosive device out of the window, but it detonated and blew off most of his hand before he was able to throw it out of harm’s way.

The victim then ran out of his home to the driveway, at which point he saw Waddell running away.

He was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where the remainder of his hand and part of his arm were amputated.

The victim had the remainder of his hand and part of his arm amputated. (Suffolk County Police Department)

Waddell was arrested the following day, officials said. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 27, and she could face up to 25 years in prison.

“Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department, a dangerous individual has been held accountable and will face a lengthy prison sentence for this horrific act,” Tierney said in his statement.

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Speculation about what treasures might be concealed beneath the Vatican has been reignited by fresh assertions that its hidden vaults could house relics from biblical times.

Known officially as the Apostolic Archive, the Vatican Secret Archive has long been the subject of intrigue, with many suggesting it contains sacred artifacts related to the Bible, shielded from the public eye.

This subterranean storehouse, which encompasses approximately 53 miles of shelving and spans over 1,200 years of history, is among the most meticulously guarded collections globally.

However, there’s a belief among some that these vaults hold more than just ancient documents. AJ Gentile, who hosts The Why Files, recently suggested that the fabled Ark of the Covenant and the Spear of Destiny might be among the items hidden there.

The Ark, according to biblical accounts, was crafted to house the Ten Commandments given to Moses, while the Spear of Destiny is said to be the weapon that pierced Jesus during his crucifixion.

The secrecy surrounding the archives, including waiting periods that can stretch more than a decade, has only fueled speculation about what else might be hidden behind locked doors.

While many of the claims remain unverified, renewed interest in the Vatican’s hidden collection has reignited debate about whether history’s most sacred relics could still exist today.

Speaking on the Shawn Ryan Show, Gentile described the archives as a place few outsiders can truly access.

Rumors about what lies hidden beneath the Vatican have resurfaced after renewed claims that its secret vaults could contain relics tied to biblical histor

‘You can’t go there. I mean, people can go to the Vatican archives. You have to get permission, [which] is like a 10 to 15 year wait, and you have to tell them what you want to see before you go,’ Gentile explained.

Access to the archives is highly restricted, requiring scholars to apply years in advance, submit detailed research proposals and review materials under strict supervision without directly handling original documents.

‘So, and while you’re there, you can’t touch anything. Someone will turn the pages for you and all that,’ said Gentile.

Among the most widely discussed claims is the possibility that the vaults contain legendary religious artifacts tied to biblical history.

‘But, rumored to be down there is the spear of destiny. The Ark of the Covenant is supposed to be down there,’ Gentile said.

Rumors that the AOC may be hidden within Vatican custody have circulated for decades, fueled largely by the Church’s vast relic collections and the restricted nature of its archival system, with some theories suggesting the relic was moved through Europe during the Crusades to protect it from invasion or destruction.

According to the Bible, the AOC was built by the Israelites shortly after they fled Egypt around the 13th century BC.

Some historians believe the Ark was originally kept inside the Holy of Holies, the innermost chamber of the ancient Temple of Jerusalem, before disappearing during the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Rumors that the Ark of the Covenant may be hidden within Vatican custody have circulated for decades, fueled largely by the Church’s vast relic collections and the restricted nature of its archival system. Pictured is a recreation based on text in the Bible

 The Spear of  Destiny is believed in Christian tradition to be the weapon used to pierce Jesus during the crucifixion

The SOD, also known as the Holy Lance, is believed in Christian tradition to be the weapon used to pierce Jesus during the crucifixion.

‘That is the spear of destiny or the holy lance, which was with the Roman soldier who pierced Christ when he was on the cross,’ Gentile explained.

One of the earliest sources of the spear legend dates back to the medieval Crusades, when multiple groups claimed to have discovered the weapon used in the crucifixion of Jesus.

During the Siege of Antioch in 1098, a monk named Peter Bartholomew claimed he had visions revealing the spear’s location beneath a church floor.

Although a spear was reportedly found, many doubted its authenticity even at the time.

This uncertainty created the belief that the ‘real’ spear might have been hidden or moved, laying the groundwork for later speculation that it could be concealed in powerful religious centers like the Vatican.

Speculation about hidden relics was also fueled by wartime accounts that Nazi forces actively searched across occupied Europe for sacred artifacts believed to hold symbolic or mystical power.

During World War II, organizations such as Heinrich Himmler’s SS-linked research group, the Ahnenerbe, investigated ancient relics and historical sites, including churches, monasteries and cathedrals, in hopes of locating objects tied to biblical or legendary traditions.

‘That was something that Hitler was very interested in finding. Hitler was chasing these artifacts all over the place,’ said Gentile.

Historians say many treasures were hidden, relocated or looted during the chaos of the war, helping create enduring rumors that some sacred relics, including those linked to Christian history, may have been secretly safeguarded by institutions such as the Vatican.

Stretching across roughly 53 miles of shelving and holding more than 12 centuries of records, the underground repository is one of the most tightly controlled collections in the world

Among the most unusual claims discussed is the existence of a mysterious device said to allow people to view past events.

‘My favorite object that’s supposed to be down there is called a chronovisor. And this is an object that lets you see through time,’ Gentile said.

The chronovisor is a legendary, unproven device allegedly developed in the 1950s by Father Pellegrino Ernetti, a priest and physicist who claimed it could capture residual vibrations left behind by past events.

‘And what really put it on the map was that he took a picture of Christ’s crucifixion and released it. And it’s a wild photograph because it’s Jesus Christ on the cross,’ Gentile said.

However, later investigations suggested the image more closely resembled a photograph of a statue rather than an authentic historical moment.

‘And it turned out that that’s really what it was was he had this photograph that he said he saw Christ, but it was just his photograph of the statue,’ Gentile said.

Despite the lack of confirmed evidence supporting the device’s existence, the legend continues to circulate among researchers and conspiracy theorists alike.

‘So the chronovisor is just this legend,’ Gentile concluded.

Cole Allen, charged with being the gunman at the White House Correspondents Dinner, identified himself as part of “The Wide Awakes,” a progressive collective with roots that stretch back to Civil War-era abolitionists. Despite the serious allegations against Allen, the group is known for its commitment to nonviolence.

Originally formed during the 1860 presidential election, the Wide Awakes were a band of anti-slavery supporters backing Abraham Lincoln. These original members were recognized for their distinctive costumes and lively demonstrations, staging vibrant spectacles in New York and across the northern United States as the nation teetered on the brink of civil conflict.

In today’s context, The Wide Awakes have no formal ties to their historic predecessors. Revitalized in 2020 by a collective of artists, the modern incarnation aims to echo the spirit of the original group through creative expression. They employ similar strategies, crafting colorful costumes to wear during marches and advocacy events in urban settings.

Since its rebirth, the group has expanded into a loosely-knit coalition of individuals who bring a sense of style and playfulness to political gatherings. Their approach continues to capture attention, blending artistic flair with activism in a unique and engaging manner.

But the group has since grown, and is now a loosely organized collection of like-minded people who continue bringing style and a sense of fun to political events.

“We are infinite, disruptive, enlightened, visionary, accountable,” a Wide Awakes website reads. “We want the radical complexity of diversity. We believe creative liberation is a game and all of us can play now and forever.”

“We can emancipate ourselves without violence,” the website adds. “We don’t need to be told what to believe or how to engage, we just need to be inspired to question what’s there. Broadening perspective yields a safer world.”

And it seems anybody can join — the group invites anyone to put on their own events or create art in their name.

“Call on local DJs, Musicians, Speakers, Organizers, and Artists to plan a joyous community gathering,” are some of the suggested ways to participate listed on the group’s website.

It’s unclear if the group has any centralized organization anymore.

Exactly how Allen was affiliated with the group also remains unclear. Officials only revealed that he considered himself to be a member.

The shooting suspect participated in the nationwide anti-Trump “No Kings” marches in March, though it’s unknown if he did so with any affiliation to The Wide Awakes.

Allen’s sister also told investigators that he frequently espoused radical political ideas and talked about wanting to do “something” to fix the world.

He was also an avid user of Blue Sky — a liberal iteration of X — where he’d made more than 1,000 posts, many of which railed on President Trump and Republicans.

Allen also allegedly sent a rambling anti-Trump manifesto to his family about 10 minutes before he tried to storm into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a gun in Washington DC on Saturday night.

He was tackled to the ground before he could get into the ballroom, where Trump and numerous top White House officials were eating. A flurry of gunfire in the halls outside led to a rapid evacuation of the event.