Overview

• The US conducted airstrikes on over 85 targets in Iraq and Syria in response to a drone attack by an Iranian-backed militia that killed three US servicemembers in Jordan.
• Iraq and Syria have condemned the airstrikes, with both governments accusing the US of undermining regional stability and causing civilian casualties.
• The Biden administration asserts that the strikes are part of a broader strategy to deter attacks on American forces and interests in the Middle East.
• Critics argue that the airstrikes may not effectively deter Iranian proxies and could lead to further escalation in the region.
• The US is also pursuing diplomatic efforts, including a potential 'grand bargain' to transform the Middle East, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.