Headline RoundupFebruary 28th, 2021

Perspectives: Biden's Syria Air Strike

Nuclear Weapons, Foreign Affairs, Middle East, Iran, Syria, Joe Biden, Defense And Security

AllSides Summary

After receiving criticism for his recent airstrike against Iranian-backed militia groups in Syria, President Joe Biden penned a letter Saturday to congressional leadership, arguing the strike was consistent with the U.S. right to self-defense. Lawmakers on both sides criticized the Biden administration for the strike, arguing military action without congressional approval is unconstitutional. Those lawmakers included Republican Reps. Nancy Mace, Jim Banks, Rand Paul, and Lauren Boebert; and Democratic senators Tim Kaine and Chris Murphy, as well as Representatives Ro Khanna and Ilhan Omar. Those who support the president's decision, however, contend that Biden's approach struck a balance between protecting U.S. military troops and potentially "reopening conversation" with Iran. Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Tom Cotton and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, expressed support for the air strike. On Sunday, Iran rejected the European Union's offer to arrange nuclear talks with the U.S. Coverage from across the political spectrum highlighted lawmakers' reactions of criticism and of support for the air strike, and some provided analysis as to what the air strike means for foreign relations going forward.

Featured Coverage of this Story

From the Left

Biden's Syria airstrikes test US role as world's police, get bipartisan support - and criticism

USA TODAY

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USA TODAY

Analysis

Pentagon airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria are not only the first military action taken by President Joe Biden. They are a test of his broad pledge to pursue a foreign policy that is more cooperative and mindful of international partners than his predecessor's but still eschews the U.S. role as the world's police to focus on making life better for Americans, some experts and lawmakers say.

Biden on Thursday night ordered the airstrikes on multiple facilities at a Syrian-Iraqi border control point in southeastern Syria in retaliation for rocket...

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From the Right

With minimum wage loss and Syria strikes, liberals taste first disappointments under Biden

Washington Examiner

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Washington Examiner

Opinion

Liberals were dealt their first major disappointments of President Biden’s young administration as the United States launched airstrikes in Syria and the prospects for a $15 federal minimum wage dimmed.

“We didn’t flip Georgia Blue for Biden to air strike Syria,” left-wing activist Ja’Mal Green tweeted. “We flipped Georgia Blue for our $2,000 Stimulus Checks.”

“And for $15 minimum wage,” he added. “And for $50,000 of student loan debt to be canceled.”

The two Georgia Senate races shifted the Senate to Democratic control after Kamala Harris was sworn in as...

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From the Left

The tough message Biden just sent Iran

CNN (Opinion)

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CNN (Opinion)

Opinion

In a single stroke on Thursday, President Joe Biden did far more than destroy a few support facilities for Iranian-backed Syrian militias. Unlike his two predecessors, Biden has drawn a new red line in the Middle East and shown he is prepared to defend it.
Pentagon officials said two F15s dropped Joint Direct Attack Munitions (precision weapons with GPS navigation capabilities) on buildings at an unofficial border crossing believed to be used by militias to transfer munitions into Syria from Iraq.
The strike sought to cripple the ability...

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