The U.S. and coalition troops have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria since early October. Initially, we were told there were only a handful of injuries. Now we hear there are scores. Why did they lie? As the US fumbles the bag on its response to the Gaza Crisis, regional actors are scenting blood. This week, in a special edition, we’re going to be talking about America’s power vacuum in the gulf. The war is expanding horizontally – and vertically. Many are wondering whether the US can still save its allies – and even if it can save itself. Malcom Kyeyune has been wondering aloud too. In a three-part essay series for the New Statesman, he has been surveying America’s strategic bind. This week, he joins us once again, to war game the war games. We’ll be talking about the base attacks that kicked it off. About The Strange Case of a Declaration of War that signalled America no longer even wants to acknowledge how deep the sinkhole goes. And about the region’s overall future as its hegemon wilts. *** Get Malcom's essay here: https://www.newstatesman.com/the-weekend-essay/2023/11/american-decline-strikes-bases-middle-eastSupport our fight against poorly-informed Pentagon hawks here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=86737989