Have to agree with you there. That’s why I thought we should do nothing in regards to Syria. Thought that when Obummer was in power and still think that. Doesn’t mean I don’t still like Trump, just disagree with his decision here.
What I would like to see the president do is simply say we have no vital national interest in Syria, both side are crappy, and we are staying out of it.
Completely agree that Trump should not have jumped in with a measured military response. Possibly this was a signal to North Korea, China, etc., that he’ll bite if you tug his chain. It also shuts up the pro-Russia balderdash.
Let’s assume the US actually does have some vital interests in Syria, even if most are negatives with no upside. We don’t want ISIS or other Islamists to have a territorial state; we don’t want Russia and Iran to expand their M.E. influence and be seen as driving us out; we don’t want a failed state next to Iraq; we don’t want refugees fleeing Syria to Europe and the US, etc. Unfortunately, none of that makes the available “solutions” viable. It provides justifications to people like McCain who seek intervention without a clear concept of where it will lead.