U.S. Retaliation in Syria

On February 25, 2021, President Biden ordered an airstrike, his first known use of military force, against buildings tied to Iranian-backed proxies in Syria in retaliation for recent attacks on American personnel in Iraq. This was a welcome response but likely insufficient to deter future Iranian aggression. Indeed, given reports of an explosion on an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman just hours later, apparently linked to Iran, it remains to be seen if the United States, or Israel, intends to respond. As the U.S. pursues new nuclear talks with Iran, much in the region, and in U.S.-Iran relations, remains fluid.

This policy memo from JINSA staff provides details and context of the airstrike in Syria, background on Iranian-backed aggression against Americans in Iraq, and policy recommendations for U.S. officials.

Click here to read the NatSec Brief.

JINSA Staff Contributors

Blaise Misztal
Vice President for Policy

Ari Cicurel
Senior Policy Analyst