Why Syria and the U.S. Clashed for Control East of the Euphrates

BEIRUT – After the United States heavily retaliated against pro-Syrian government forces advancing on an American-controlled base, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis repeated the standard justification for U.S. action in the country: “It was self-defense. Obviously, we are not getting engaged in the Syrian civil war.”

The U.S. is already engaged in the war (self-defense is a claim made by those with skin in the game), but what this likely meant is that, according to the Pentagon, Washington is not “looking for a conflict with the regime.” In short, the U.S. show of force in Deir Ezzor province last week did not change Washington’s engagement strategy in Syria: It will defend its interests, no matter who threatens them.

Read the full article in News Deeply.