Service member deaths raise questions about future of US presence in Syria
The World
PRX
4.6 • 943 Ratings
🗓️ 16 December 2025
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The killing of two US service members in an attack in Syria over the weekend has raised questions about the future of American forces in the country. Also, prosecutors in Serbia have charged a government minister with abuse of office and falsifying of documents in an apparent attempt to pave the way for a real estate project financed by a company linked to Jared Kushner, US President Trump's son-in-law. And, a look at a secret software that can track anyone anywhere. Plus, new theories arise into the cause of one of Europe’s worst maritime disasters, three decades later.
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| 0:00.0 | Two American troops, along with an interpreter, were just killed in Syria, raising questions about why U.S. forces are still there. |
| 0:13.2 | These troops are in Syria without any clear legal mandate. They're there without any clear or defined or achievable mission. I'm Carolyn Beeler. |
| 0:24.0 | And I'm Marco Werman. Today, the American military in Syria. Also, electric vehicle makers from China |
| 0:29.7 | are shaping the global market for cars. I think there's a real question of whether Western |
| 0:34.3 | automakers can compete or wish to compete. |
| 0:42.5 | Plus, what it feels like to be watched, 24-7 by a sophisticated surveillance software. |
| 0:44.7 | There is no privacy. |
| 0:49.6 | There is no safe space where I can just be left alone. |
| 0:54.9 | We'll hear all about the company that's behind this powerful spy tool today, here on the world. |
| 1:02.4 | This is The World. I'm Carolyn Beeler. |
| 1:05.3 | And I'm Marco Wurman. Thank you for joining us today. |
| 1:12.0 | In Australia, officials say the deadly attack at Bondi Beach and Sydney was inspired by the so-called Islamic State. |
| 1:18.8 | According to police, the two suspects traveled to an island in the Philippines, where ISIS-linked insurgents are known to operate. |
| 1:27.0 | More details are emerging today after another ISIS-linked attack. Over the weekend, this won against American forces in Syria. |
| 1:31.0 | Two U.S. service members were killed, along with their interpreter. |
| 1:32.7 | Three others were wounded. |
| 1:38.7 | This was the first deadly attack on American troops in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad a year ago. |
| 1:41.9 | It's also a reminder of the dangers they still face. |
| 1:45.1 | The world's syringifari starts our coverage today. |
| 1:51.0 | At first, the U.S. military did not release the names of the soldiers who were killed. That's protocol. |
| 1:54.6 | They're released only after the next of kin has been notified. |
| 1:57.5 | They were members of the Iowa National Guard. |
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