By Daniel DePetris
If we’ve learned anything over the last several weeks, it’s that deterrence has failed in every respect. The militias haven’t missed a stride in harassing U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Syria. There have been dozens of militia attacks since the initial round of U.S. strikes late last month and four in the 24-hour period since the latest U.S. strikes on Sunday, which is evidence enough that U.S. military action to date hasn’t changed the calculus of these organizations one iota. If anything, the U.S. strikes compel further retaliation from the militias, which in turn force the U.S. to conduct more airstrikes. It doesn’t take a genius to see how this tit-for-tat exchange could easily get out of control.
This piece was originally published in Chicago Tribune on November 14, 2023. Read more HERE.