Kim HjelmgaardUSA TODAY0:190:51https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.444.1_en.html#goog_1051511148

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/02/26/syria-bombing-biden-airstrikes-mark-test-us-role-worlds-police/6831034002/

Pentagon airstrikes againstIran-backed militias in Syriaarenot only the first military action takenby President Joe Biden. Theyare a test ofhisbroadpledge to pursue a foreign policy that is more cooperative and mindful of international partners than his predecessor’s but stilleschews the U.S.role as the world’s policetofocuson makinglife better for Americans, some experts and lawmakers say.

Biden on Thursday night orderedthe airstrikeson multiple facilitiesata Syrian-Iraqiborder control point in southeastern Syria in retaliation for rocket attacks on U.S. targets in neighboring Iraq. The Pentagon identified the targets as a “number of Iranian-backed militant groupsincluding Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.” It called the airstrikes “proportionate” and “defensive” and said the airstrikes weretaken after consultation with coalition partners and unspecified “diplomatic measures.”https://efffecc04009a2b8084b2afa6299730a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.htmlhttps://www.usatodaynetworkservice.com/tangstatic/html/usat/sf-q1a2z3be0d353f.min.html

The military action comes as Washington and Tehran are locked in apparent stalemate overwho should take the first step to revitalize a…