>> Saddam gassed his own people.
I believe Assad is more realistic about the consequences of chemical attacks. And unless Assad desires an international response, there’s no reason for him to incite it.
But yet he did. And response he got.
Assad wouldn’t be hurt by blue helmets coming in and maintaining the status quo- at this point. Syria will never be restored. The Kurds and others have achieved too much.
Iran won’t mind either as a divided Syria is weak and conquerable.
Russia and China though would suffer loss.
Obama did nothing. Trump said let Syrians decide and we do not do Regime change and nation building anymore.
Asad thought it was business as usual, he did it before and he did it again. He was likely encouraged and/or helped by Iran and Russia and a bit Trump test.
Trump rightly enforced the Red Line about no WMDs are to be used. A punch on the nose in dramactic fashion and don’t do it again.
So not only is there a new sherif in town, but at least the town has a sherif now. As Obama was Coward In Chief and became a door mat