"Security Concerns Rise as US Defense Secretary Austin Faces Repeated Attacks and Hospitalization"

US forces in the Middle East were attacked eight times while Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized, with an additional five incidents occurring after his return to duty, totaling 128 attacks since October 17. The attacks, targeting US troops in Iraq and Syria, were carried out by Iran-backed terrorist groups using drones and rockets. Austin's hospitalization, due to complications from an elective medical procedure, has drawn criticism for lack of transparency from the Biden administration.