U.S. downs third pro-Syria aircraft this month

The U.S. shot down a pro-Syrian regime drone near a training base for U.S.-backed forces in al Tanf, Syria, on Monday, per the AP. This marks the third time the U.S. has downed a pro-regime aircraft this month (including a Syrian aircraft itself), marking an escalation of the conflict.

Why it matters: This suggests the U.S. isn't backing down from defending itself against hostile acts despite the Russian warning it would treat U.S. aircraft flying west of the Euphrates as targets.