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GUEST: Reese Erlich, veteran freelance foreign correspondent who has traveled widely across the Middle East. He has written a number of books including, Conversations with Terrorists: Middle East Leaders on Politics, Violence, and Empire.

The Obama Administration on Friday dropped a major bombshell, announcing that it would send special forces troops into Syria, after years of refusing to send in ground troops. While it is an extremely small contigent of only 50 or so people, the US seems to be increasing its involvement in the war torn nation, just as Iran and Russia are doing the same.

The US’s involvement in Syria has been justified as targeting the Islamic State, and not supporting the brutal Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad. But, the situation is fluid and complex and both Assad and ISIS have benefitted from US policy. On the sidelines is the US’s original enemy, Al Qaeda. My guest Reese Erlich recently traveled to Jordan and Iraq to interview Al Qaeda leaders Abu Qatada and Munif Samara.

Reese will speak Wednesday November 4, 12:30 pm , at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley for OLLI, Osher Life Long Living Institute.