I’m sorry, but if Trump does nothing now, he - trust in him - will be hurt badly across all our allies, no matter what they may think about any action vis-a-vis Syria. France is supposedly on board, as well as U.K and the Saudis, and their publics and folks in the Middle East have been made aware of that. And then Trump does nothing? It makes for a “fool me once, but you won’t fool me twice” position from our allies. Bad “policy”. It further would support the position that Trump should have said nothing to start with. Then “backing down” is something only he knows.
Oh I agree with you. Neither you or I can say anything certain without knowing the back story and intelligence findings. For example, if it comes to light that we can’t prove it was Assad, then I’d have to disagree with your assertion. Trump might have to eat some crow, but he wouldn’t do much damage with our allies. If he simply decides not to strike for other reasons, then maybe so.