Middle east correspondent Elijah Magnier returns to the show to discuss the U.S. presence in eastern Syria. Magnier explains what the United States’ goals are, why they won’t leave without guaranteeing a political transition and how they’ve, for the time being, partitioned the country along the Euphrates river. Magnier then details how the United States is essentially acting as the undeclared protector of the Islamic State for the time being as they’ve stopped bombing the Northeastern region of the country and barred other forces from doing so. Magnier also details the history of Iranian-Syrian diplomacy and the Iranian-Hezbollah presence that has been long established in Syria. Scott then asks about the al-Nusra Front and whether the CIA’s role in aiding the so-called moderate rebels is truly over. Finally Magnier explains why the al-Qaeda in Syria is as formidable a fighting group as he’s seen in the region.

Elijah Magnier is the chief international correspondent at Al Rai and a political and terrorism/counterterrorism analyst. Find all his work at elijahjm.wordpress.com and follow him on Twitter @ejmalrai.

Discussed on the show:

• Kurdish YPG
• Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
• Syrian Arab Army (SAA)
• Al Hasakah
• “Report: Israel Treating al-Qaida Fighters Wounded in Syria Civil War” (The Jerusalem Post)
• Abu Mohammad al-Julani

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