Tag: Syria

A U.S. F-15 near Al-Tanf, Syria, shot down an Iranian drone where the U.S. is training local fighters to combat the Islamic State. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/Released)

National Security

US fighter jet shoots down armed Iranian drone over Syria

Melissa Quinn · June 20, 2017 1:51 pm

Two immediate takeaways here: First, it is ill-advised to deploy an aerial relic from the 1960s against an F/A-18E Super Hornet. Second, and more importantly, the U.S. must now deter Russian reaction. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean M. Castellano/Released)

Beltway Confidential

Russia threatens US pilots in Syria; here’s how the US should respond

Tom Rogan · June 20, 2017 1:33 pm

Spicer said the "escalation of hostilities among the many factions that are operating in this region doesnât help anybody" and they hope to de-escalate the situation by keeping lines of communication open with the Russians. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

National Security

Spicer to Russia: ‘We will always preserve the right of self-defense’

Alex Pappas · June 19, 2017 6:39 pm

The Pentagon urged Russia to continue using the deconfliction line to avoid military miscalculations and to de-escalate tense situations as both countries intervene in Syria's long-running civil war. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

National Security

Joe Dunford: US working to defuse Russia situation in Syria after threats to target aircraft

Travis J. Tritten · June 19, 2017 4:24 pm

In the end, I think Russia's claim is designed to persuade the Trump administration that it can be a valuable partner against the Islamic State. (AP)

Beltway Confidential

Is ISIS’s Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi really dead, and if he is, does it matter?

Daniel DePetris · June 19, 2017 3:59 pm

U.S. pilots over Syria will defend themselves if attacked by Russians, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday, following a report that Russia will treat U.S. or coalition aircraft as targets if they fly over areas in western Syria controlled by Russia.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

National Security

US pilots will defend themselves as Russia threatens aircraft over Syria, Pentagon says

Jamie McIntyre · June 19, 2017 3:48 pm

"They picked the best small footprint option that they could for the maximum amount of impact," House Intelligence Committee chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Devin Nunes: Trump’s Syria plan risks Russia and Iran creating ‘more havoc for the West’

Joel Gehrke · June 19, 2017 1:54 pm

Russia on Monday said it will treat U.S. or coalition aircraft that fly over any of its operating areas in western Syria as targets, after a U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet downed a Syrian bomber a day earlier. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

National Security

Russia says it will treat US and coalition planes in western Syria as targets, defense ministry says

Anna Giaritelli · June 19, 2017 12:50 pm

The Syrian axis (Syrian President Bashar Assad, Russia, Iran, the Lebanese Hezbollah, and other associated Shiite militias) are determined to displace U.S./allied forces fromnorth-central Syria. (Alexei Druzhinin, RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Beltway Confidential

Assad and Putin are testing the US in Syria. Trump is answering.

Tom Rogan · June 19, 2017 12:47 pm

Damaged part of USS Fitzgerald is seen at the U.S. Naval base in Yokosuka, southwest of Tokyo Sunday, June 18, 2017. Navy divers found a number of sailors' bodies Sunday aboard the stricken USS Fitzgerald that collided with a container ship Saturday in the busy sea off Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

National Security

Weekend wrap: Steve Scalise and Matt Mika continue to improve; 7 sailors die in accident

Kyle Feldscher · June 19, 2017 3:35 am

"In accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces, [the Syrian plane] was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet," the statement read. (U.S. Navy photo)

US shoots down Syrian bomber for attacking anti-ISIS force

Kyle Feldscher · June 18, 2017 8:44 pm

There was no immediate word on the effect of the strikes. (AP Photo/Hadi Yazdani)

National Security

Iran fires missiles at terror groups in Syria: Report

Caitlin Yilek · June 18, 2017 8:11 pm