Turkish opposition criticizes US ambassador Tom Barrack for diplomatic conduct

On October 13 and 14, 2026, Namik Tan, a prominent figure in the Yeni Parti opposition and former Turkish ambassador, launched a sharp critique against the United States Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack. Tan accused the diplomat of overstepping his institutional role, specifically citing Barrack's choice to reside in Istanbul instead of the capital, Ankara, and his practice of hosting foreign ministers from other countries on Turkish soil.

According to reports in the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Tan argued that Ambassador Barrack is prioritizing the regional policy goals of President Donald Trump in the Middle East over his standard embassy duties in Ankara. Tan labeled the situation a "diplomatic disgrace," claiming it lacks historical precedent. In his criticism, he also targeted U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and the recently dismissed former ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, suggesting they are all in violation of established diplomatic norms.

Tan has called upon the Turkish government to formally summon the American diplomat to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide explanations for his recent conduct. There has been no immediate official response from the Turkish government or the U.S. embassy regarding these demands as of mid-October 2026.