US policy in Syria and the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran

In a major escalation in the Middle East crisis, three US service members were killed and dozens more injured in a drone strike on the Syrian-Jordanian border by the Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance. This comes as attacks on US personnel in Iraq and Syria have surged since October, and as Washington has been debating a full withdrawal from Syria. Amberin Zaman, Al-Monitor’s chief correspondent covering major stories on the Middle East and North Africa, joins Thanos Davelis to discuss this latest deadly attack, what it could mean for the region, and what a potential US withdrawal from Syria would mean for America’s partners on the ground - the Syrian Kurds - and for the fight against ISIS.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

U.S. troops killed, wounded in Jordan attack blamed on Iranian proxies

Pentagon floats plan for its Syrian Kurd allies to partner with Assad against ISIS

America Is Planning to Withdraw From Syria—and Create a Disaster

US opens F-35 window to Ankara

US ready to welcome Turkey ‘back into F-35 family’ if S-400 issue is resolved