Syria's counterterrorism dilemma: Who can Washington trust?

A deadly attack on a Christian funeral in Jordan prompted retaliatory Jordanian airstrikes in Syria, sparking a diplomatic dispute between Amman and Damascus and raising questions about the Islamic State's involvement and the security threats emanating from southern Syria. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD Senior Research Analyst Ahmad Sharawi to discuss the killing of nine mourners, Jordan's subsequent airstrikes, and conflicting claims over whether the strikes targeted Islamic State operatives or killed civilians. They examine the evidence linking the attackers to the Islamic State, the absence of an official claim of responsibility, and why Jordan's response has strained relations with Damascus.

Bill and Ahmad also assess the deteriorating security situation in southern Syria, where Islamic State cells, local militias and competing regional interests complicate efforts to establish effective government control. With jihadists reportedly infiltrating Syria's security forces, they debate the difficult policy choices facing Washington and its regional partners: whether to work with the government of Ahmed al Sharaa, rely on previously vetted Syrian counterterrorism partners, or pursue alternative security arrangements.