1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov March 16, 2018Flashpoints in Syria and Iraq Create Challenges for U.S. PolicyInterconnected active and latent armed conflicts in Syria and Iraq involving a range of domestic groups and international actors could further destabilize the region and create evolving polic
2、y challenges for U.S. policymakers. Related instability gives Iran opportunities to expand its influence and could lead to resurgence of the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS/ISIL), which has lost control over nearly all of the territory it once occupied. Several incidents in 2018 have focused a
3、ttention on this complex, dynamic environment, complicating U.S. priorities and policies. Israeli Strikes in Syria Since 2012, Israel reportedly has conducted dozens of airstrikes in Syria. Initially, these focused mainly on preventing the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, becaus
4、e Iran-backed forces and Russia have strengthened the Syrian regimes position considerably since late 2015, Irans posture toward Israel from Syria appears to have grown more assertive. Consequently, Israeli strikes in the past two years have also focused on preventing Iran from establishing bases or
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