Well, in this episode of Newt's world, as war continues the Middle East between Israel and Hamas and Palestine,

we witnessed Iran-backed militias attack a U.S. base on Sunday. Three American

troops were killed and several were wounded on January 28th and a drone strike

in Northeast Jordan near the Syrian border.

The military base is known as Tower 22.

The one-way enemy attack drone approached the base around the same time as a U.S.

surveillance drone causing confusion

and preventing the US from deploying air defenses. Since mid-October

there have been at least 165 attacks on US troops in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.

The US has launched several retaliatory strikes,

including in Iraq.

Joining me to talk about the escalating tensions in the Middle East and what the

United States response should be, I am really pleased to welcome my guest,

Benham Ben Tullablu. He is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defensive democracies with a focus on Iran

and I must say I find the Foundation for Defensive democracies one of the most useful organizations and understanding what is happening around the world. Benham, welcome and thank you for joining me on New Twix.

It's an absolute pleasure sure.

Great to be with you.

I have to ask you on January 28th, the three Americans were killed,

about 23 were injured in a drone strike in Northeast Jordan near the Syrian border.

Most if not all those injured and killed were Army soldiers at a base known as Tower 22,

which has been in support of the counter ISIS mission for years, a coalition of Iran-backed

militant groups calling themselves the Islamic resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility. The Pentagon on Monday announced the names of the

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