US Defensive Postures in Syria

Recently, The Institute for the Study of War published an assessment with regard to the intent of Russia, Iran, and Syria to force U.S. forces out of Syria. The United States has a small contingency of offensive capabilities. Its intent is to make sure ISIS no longer poses a threat to the region. Are the US defensive postures in Syria inviting the Russian/Iranian/Syrian axis of evil to challenge its positions by ignoring the threats to U.S. interests?

The United States is heading towards an election year in 2024 and the Russians see an opportunity to weaken the Biden Administration. How? By embroiling it into a new war in Syria, which might also help Donald Trump indirectly. So far, President Biden is not biting; but, it won’t be long before that challenge might cause more than just military maneuvers.

The fact that Russia has a war on its hands in Ukraine plays to U.S. advantage. Also, because the U.S. is sending reinforcements to the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to protect against Iranian piracy and terror, Iran has to consider opening two fronts against U.S. superpower. Furthermore, the Syrian regime remains a skeleton of what it once was. Militarily and economically speaking. For Assad to test his weakness sounds like he jumped, head first, in the shallow side of the pool.

So, maybe these new maneuvers ISW wrote about might just be a scare tactic. But we cannot go to sleep against this trio of terror. If attacked, we must respond with overwhelming force.

Perhaps there is an imminent attack, and it is impossible that the U.S. may not be ready for that eventuality.

US POSITIONS

It’s been a month since the Iranians and the Syrian regime have fortified their positions around the U.S. forces in Syria; yet, there seems to be no alarm bell sounding as of now. No new reinforcements and no new weapons to reach Syria that we know of.

Having said that, the Incirlik U.S. base in Turkey, which sits on the borders, has plenty of firepower that the U.S. could deploy to protect U.S. troops. If we all recall, the Russian infamous Wagner Group tried to attack these troops in 2018 only to be met with superior U.S. airpower that decimated up to 500 Wagner mercenaries. Maybe the Iranians forgot that lesson. For sure, the Syrian regime of Assad has.

Even with air superiority, possibly the Russians are trying to trip the Biden Administration to make a mistake. Of late, the Russians have destroyed two U.S. drones over the skies of Syria and their air force has been harassing our pilots every chance they get. Since President Biden did not bite, potentially the Russians and the Iranians are trying a new tactic. But maybe not as well.

Perhaps there is an imminent attack, and it is impossible that the U.S. may not be ready for that eventuality.

Unfortunately, the U.S. does not have the best National Security team in place giving sound advice to the President. Timidity and appeasement are their calling cards.

IF IRAN ATTACKS

If an attack takes place, this might be the only chance the United States has in dislodging Russia and Iran from Syria. Carpet bombing of their positions in retaliation for their attacks can be the difference between saving Syria, or losing it. Possibly forever to the terrorists in Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus. It is hard not to consider that option.

Unfortunately, the U.S. does not have the best National Security team in place giving sound advice to the President. Timidity and appeasement are their calling cards. This is why Russia and Iran are venturing outside their caves.

Only if Iran attacks us, will they let the dog wag his tail.

US Defensive Postures in Syria