Up to now, Freepers have lauded Trump for playing 4-D chess. It will take time to see how this plays out. Trump may have seen no downside risk to acting abruptly, even with uncertain information. If it turns out that Assad’s forces were not responsible for the “chemical weapons”, then Trump will be mildly embarrassed at taking an unprovoked punch at someone we’ve said we want out of power anyway. He will still have demonstrated that he’s willing to take immediate, strong action based on the best information he has, and focused only on military targets. The message goes far beyond Syria — to North Korea, to China, to Russia, and to anyone else who might stir up trouble.
Excellent, rational post. Thank you.
Look, I am among those who have been skeptical that this was done by Assad because of the stupdity of the action. But, remember the surveillance capabilities of the NSA, CIA and DIA are focused on places like Syria, and so I have to assume that the evidence was solid.
Every president is tested early in his term. Trump used this opportunity 100 day into his administration to take strong decisive lethal action.
And don't forget that a principal target of our deterrence action is not Assad, but North Korea and Iran. North Korea has to know, now, that any funny business over nukes and they are a smoking cinder.