Article:

In previously unpublished remarks, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought to reassure U.S. troops about the military's ability to withstand attacks by Iran-backed militants, more than a month before a deadly drone strike that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. Austin, speaking to sailors aboard the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on December 20, highlighted that the militants' lack of effectiveness was the primary reason for their failure to cause significant harm.

Austin acknowledged that Iranian proxies were daily shooting at U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria but emphasized that they were not proficient at their activities. He credited the military's efforts to ensure adequate force protection as a major factor in countering the threats posed by the militants. However, Austin also acknowledged that while the military works diligently to prevent injuries to their troops, the possibility of a successful attack cannot be completely ruled out.

In response to the recent drone attack in Jordan, President Joe Biden's administration has vowed to take all necessary measures to protect U.S. troops from the escalating cycle of violence in the Middle East. Despite the occasional success of the Iran-backed militants in their attacks, experts caution against underestimating their capabilities, emphasizing that these groups have a history of conducting sophisticated transnational strikes.

The U.S. military has been targeted more than 168 times in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October, resulting in injuries to 143 U.S. service members. The deadliest attack occurred on January 28, when a drone struck a U.S. base on the Jordan-Syria border, claiming the lives of three soldiers. While the attack was deemed tragic and unlucky, military officials acknowledge that combat situations cannot achieve perfection in defense.

U.S. officials believe that multiple factors contributed to the failure of American defenses at the remote base in Jordan, notably the low altitude at which the drone approached the base. However, it is believed that the success of the attack was primarily a result of probability - with enough munitions directed at well-defended targets, a few will inevitably breach the defenses.

The drone strike in Jordan, attributed to the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah, has triggered a series of retaliatory strikes by the U.S. in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and affiliated militias. The Pentagon has asserted that these strikes were carried out in response to the "footprints" of Kataib Hezbollah.

Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder affirmed the U.S. military's commitment to continuously reevaluating force protection measures to safeguard troops in harm's way. However, critics argue that the retaliatory strikes are insufficient to exert meaningful pressure on Iran, urging for tougher action to deter further attacks.

As tensions remain high in the region, the Biden administration has thus far resisted calls for strikes on Iranian forces, fearing the potential escalation into a full-scale war. Some argue that Iran has the ability to halt these attacks, but the lack of significant repercussions on their part creates little incentive for them to do so.

The investigation into the drone strike in Jordan is ongoing, and adjustments to U.S. defenses are being considered to better counter future threats. The safety and protection of U.S. forces remain a top priority for the Biden administration, as they navigate the complex and dangerous landscape of the Middle East.