Episode 278: DoD Breaks with Biden Over Deterrence

Today, Jamil, Les, and Morgan discuss the recent Washington Post story in which anonymous Defense Department officials express frustration with what they consider an incoherent strategy by the Biden Administration for countering attacks by Iranian proxies on US forces in Iraq and Syria.  “There’s no clear definition of what we are trying to deter,” said one defense official.  In an oped over the weekend, President Biden attempted to outline his foreign policy in the wake of the War in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas War without once mentioning Iran. 

What should U.S. deterrence policy look like? Is our current strategy effective at preventing a wider conflict? and How do we ensure U.S. personnel are safe overseas?

Want to learn more about this topic? Check out these articles that our experts used to frame our discussion: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/19/iranian-proxy-attacks-us-troops/

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iranian-proxies-continue-targeting-us-troops-syria-iraq-total-since-pentagon

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4314271-the-u-s-is-finally-hitting-back-at-irans-murderous-proxies/

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/esper-us-military-strikes-against-iranian-proxies-syria 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/18/joe-biden-gaza-hamas-putin/

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@jamil_n_jaffer 

@lestermunson

@morganlroach

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