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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.

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

Despite Russia's warning it will treat U.S. aircraft as targets

AP Photo / Jamejam Online, Chavosh Homavandi

Politics

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&#x27;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.

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

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

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