The U.S. can no longer afford to take a reactive stance towards Iran’s regional strategy of working through proxies and carve-outs, as the number of troops killed by Iran-backed groups continues to rise.
While President Biden’s recent retaliatory airstrikes in Syria were a step in the right direction, it’s clear that a new strategy is needed.
Iran’s aggressive behavior has only increased after Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.
Trump’s sanctions, which remain in place, have not proven to be effective deterrence to that same behavior.
The lack of diplomatic progress, not the lack of sanctions, is leaving us vulnerable and insecure.
The Biden administration must take a tougher stance against Iran-backed attacks, be they in Syria or Iraq or emanating from one domain but striking the other. U.S. policymakers must ensure that deployed troops have adequate air defense coverage to deny and defeat the persistent rocket and drone threat. Failure to do so will only lead to more deaths.
It’s time to change course and roll back Iran’s Shiite militia network in the heartland of the Middle East.
A new strategy must be put in place to address the root cause of the problem and not just reactive responses to attacks.
It’s time for a stronger response from the Biden administration to protect U.S. troops and civilians.