Further signs of Iran’s influence waning.  “U.S. Vacates a Key Military Base in Syria,” WSJ, 2-12-26.  Al Tanf, key to controlling weapon flows, etc. from Iran to Hezbollah along the road from Baghdad to Damascus, has been handed over to the Syrian government.  “The militia that the U.S. worked with at Al Tanf has joined forces with Syria’s government. Iran-aligned militias have launched attacks on U.S. forces in Syria in recent years, but those groups were mostly pushed out of the country after the Assad regime fell. Sharaa, a former longtime leader of an anti-Iran insurgency, has said he is determined to keep Tehran’s influence out of the country.”  The U.S. force is not far from Al Tanf, though, redeployed in Jordan.

“Why the U.S. Hasn’t Yet Struck Iran,” Atlantic, 2-12-26.  While this source is reflexively critical of the President, it does make the point that the objective must be clear.  In that vein, the warning was given to not hurt protesters, so those persons are accountable.  The U.S. is not intent on regime change, as it has said and which would require invasion and overseeing a new government—that is up to the people of Iran.  But the U.S. can make their efforts easier with its first and only stated priority to date.

“U.S. Aircraft Carrier Will Be Sent to the Middle East From Venezuela, Officials Say,” NYT, 2-12-26.

“Turkey: US and Iran near compromise on nuclear deal, warns against expanding talks,” i24, 2-12-26.