The U.S. military has launched a new round of airstrikes against ISIS positions in Syria, targeting multiple sites on behalf of Operation Hawkeye Strike.
According to U.S. officials, the strikes were conducted by U.S. Central Command around 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and mark the second wave of military action since December 19, following the lethal ISIS assault that killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers and an American interpreter in Palmyra, Syria.
Airstrikes Follow Deadly ISIS Attack
According to Fox News, U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation targeted several ISIS locations across Syrian territory, with the military identifying this round of airstrikes as part of a continuing effort to degrade ISIS capabilities following the loss of American personnel.
“Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on Dec. 19 in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria,” CENTCOM stated, providing the rationale behind the latest mission.
Although the White House and Department of War have yet to respond publicly, the U.S. action signals a clear continuation of a military policy aimed at ensuring American losses do not go unanswered.
Diplomacy in Damascus Gains Traction
Meanwhile, diplomacy is quietly advancing behind the scenes. U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack held meetings in Damascus with Syria’s new leadership, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Barrack described the talks as constructive, noting they focused on developments in Aleppo and Syria’s broader political transition under its new leadership.
“I met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team in Damascus,” Barrack said, highlighting America’s willingness to engage with post-conflict leadership in the region.
New Political Era Emerges in Syria
Barrack further emphasized that the United States “welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.” That’s a notable tune change in U.S. foreign policy music, though not entirely unexpected given shifting sands in the Middle East.
More surprising, perhaps, is the resumption of dialogue between Israel and Syria after prolonged silence—talks reportedly facilitated by U.S. mediation. That thaw, if it holds, could stabilize a simmering corner of a long-boiling pot. The issue has sparked debate among foreign policy observers, with supporters hailing the dual track of military precision and diplomatic engagement.
A Shift Toward Peace, Not Appeasement
This isn’t appeasement—it’s accountability with leverage. The airstrikes reflect an unapologetic stance that American lives aren’t bargaining chips in the Middle East theater. The precision air campaign, launched as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, reminds adversaries that crossing certain lines brings consequences—not lectures, tweets, or hashtags.
And for a region that’s grown used to ambiguity from Washington, the latest strikes carry a message more powerful than any speech: America still means business when its people are targeted.
A Brewer's Blend: Toughness and Talks
Of course, military responses need not come at the expense of diplomacy—Barrack's presence in Damascus demonstrates that both carrot and stick can coexist. It's a classic Reagan-era strategy: speak softly, but carry airpower just in case. What remains to be seen is whether Syria’s “historic transition” leads to real reform or merely offers a new face on an old regime.
But the fact that the U.S. is engaging diplomatically while delivering strategic, targeted strikes on ISIS shows a rare moment of clarity in an often muddled foreign policy landscape.
