NPR

The U.S. Is Ramping Up Military Engagement, Which Could Be A Risk For Trump

President Trump seems to have given the U.S. military a freer hand — but without apparent diplomatic or political strategies to accompany the increased military engagement.
James Mattis speaks after his ceremonial swearing-in as secretary of defense on Jan. 17. In the Trump administration, Mattis and the Pentagon appear to have been given a freer hand.

While the political world continues to focus on the machinations of congressional investigations about Russia (which won't have conclusions drawn for months, if not longer) and where health care goes from here, there's another, arguably more important story going on — ramped-up military engagement.

Here's the New York Times Thursday:

"The United States launched more airstrikes in Yemen this month than during all of last year. In Syria, it has airlifted local forces to front-line positions and has been accused of killing civilians in airstrikes. In Iraq, American troops and

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