Two American soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in Syria last week after they were ambushed by ISIS fighters. An additional three US servicemembers were injured in the attack. In response, the United States military has been flying warplanes near Palmyra, where the incident occurred, in a clear show of force. 

Many Americans might be surprised by this turn of events. After all, it was only a few short weeks ago that President Ahmed al-Shara, the current leader of Syria—and a former jihadist known then as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—was welcomed by President Donald Trump at the White House as a new friend and ally. But the elements that killed the three Americans in Syria were also affiliated with the Islamist groups that seized control over Syria last year. These groups have received copious support from the United States and Turkey throughout Syria’s 12-year civil war. They were given that support with the implicit understanding that the........

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