U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq prompt backlash and concerns

Recent U.S. airstrikes in Syria and Iraq targeted Iran-backed militias, sparking backlash in Iraq. The strikes killed a Kataib Hezbollah leader, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani to confront the U.S. and accelerate negotiations for troop withdrawal. The U.S. aims to sustain a security partnership while containing fallout from the Gaza war. The strikes have disrupted a period of calm and raised concerns about Iraq's stability and independence.