Russia has no control over Assad and Assad has no control over most of his generals. Using chemical weapons was dumb. Dumb people in Syria don’t live long.
Agreed. I'm reminded of a parable told to me by a Druze Engineer when I first began working in Saudi Arabia (82). We were having a particularly trying day amongst the natives when in exasperation I told him I just don't get it. Everything was irrational and contrary to the interest of everyone.
He then told me the story of
The Scorpion and the Frog. The only difference was the ending.
When the frog asks the scorpion why, the scorpion replies that it is the middle east.
There is no way we can bring western rationalism to the goings on in the middle east. It could have been a false flag operation or Assad ordered. We will not know and I would not be surprised by either.
There is something I have been wondering. It is possible the Russians will feign outrage over the attack while silently consolidating control over the Syrian air force. The Russian base was not attacked and I just don't know how many Syrian airbases are left.
The Russians may have been a beneficiary in a way. I don't want to push that yet with the entire ludicrous Russian scandal BS.