Global reaction mixed after U.S. attacks Syrian gov't base with cruise missiles

Yesterday, Japanese tabloids reported that Trump attacked because the pictures of dead babies made Ivanka cry. Is that true?

U.S. president have aired clear message in global countries using chemical weapons would not be tolerated .

s.mohandas

Trump supporters, who would have screamed bloody murder if this had been Obama despite calling him weak for doing nothing

Obama killed Bin Laden nobody complained

It's like a crazy, dark comedy that the US is the world leader in sticking its nose into the affairs of other countries, but cries like a hysterical child about unproven allegations that Russia tried to "influence" the US election.

The US has tried to influence amost every single government of almost every single country.

Before the election, Trump was emphatic that the US shouldn't risk war or interfere in Syria. The US should negotiate and use diplomacy.

Weeks later he unilaterally orders an attack with no diplomacy based on unknown information from intelligence agencies who have never been right about anything in their entire history.

I want a new planet. This one is filled with crazy people.

Dango bong: Wrong. Besides Trump supporters, who would have screamed bloody murder if this had been Obama despite calling him weak for doing nothing, which is what Trump demanded (and said he needed Congressional approval despite Trump himself not needing it suddenly), no one on earth supports what happened here.

There are plenty of people condemning Trump's actions world-wide.

Besides Dems, Russia and Syria, there are none

the global reaction is not "mixed" at all.

Sure it is. There are plenty of people condemning Trump's actions world-wide.

Who would stand idly and watch little children get gassed by their own government?

The same people who stand by and watch many countries all over the world do horrible things to their citizens day in day out. The same people who have let Syria kill it's little children daily for five years now.

The fact is, we cannot police the entire world. And if something should have been done in Syria, then it should have been an effort between multiple countries, not a unilateral move by a rogue president who cannot be trusted. That just adds an asterisk to it.

And if you are in favor of this action, are you also willing to shoulder some of the responsibility for any terrorist attacks that occur as a result?

the global reaction is not "mixed" at all. It is extremely in favor of the attacks. Who would stand idly and watch little children get gassed by their own government?

It turned out that it was the rebels who used sarin gas in 2013 to make it. Look like Assad's government did it. Those reports were buried deep in the small print of print news, and got almost no airplay on TV news.

Obama and Trump are duped, then the people are duped by the neocons and warmongers in concert with the media because this Iowans about and agenda and never about civilians dying.

Tens of thousands of children in the middle east have been ripped apart by US bombs and attacks on the ground. They all called "collateral damage" but they suffered no less gruesome death than children killed by gas.

Governments are up to their necks in hypocrisy.

Sometimes the stupidity of people on social media scares me.

This is a social media site and I have to agree. I'm scared, mainly by people who post 10+ msgs a day and ignore polite conversations showing a different point of view. Doesn't matter if they are far right or far left.

I doubt Russia or China were scared.

Is the bromance between Trump supporters and Putin supporters on the rocks? They so quickly ran into each other's arms.

Any country that plans to use chemical attacks or. killing civilians and children will be hesitating now. There is Trump in USA. He sure scared Xi and Russia beside Rope and UN.

Chinese must be wondering if Trump would make the same type of strike against North Korea. Kim Jong-un sleeping uneasy intros bed tonight

Don't worry both China and North Korea plan on sending Trump thousands of cases of Pepsi.

No, I don't think he gets it (or wants to get it).

the real villains in all this are "Sykes and Picot."

You do REALIZE it was GWB's war with Iraq that has led to all the misery initially in Iraq & now also in Syria??!!

No, I don't think he gets it (or wants to get it).

"Saudi Arabia, which supports the Syrian opposition, welcomed the missile strike, calling it a “courageous decision” by Trump... Israel’s prime minister welcomed the U.S. attack. Benjamin Netanyahu said that “In both word and action” Trump “sent a strong and clear message” that “the use and spread of chemical weapons will not be tolerated....A Syrian opposition group, the Syrian Coalition, welcomed the U.S. attack, saying it puts an end to an age of “impunity” and should be just the beginning. "

Hmmm...

Judge Jeanine, Geraldo feeling 'proud' after Syria strike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8TI7L0Gx_Y

At least he didn't do an Obama and sit on his hands

@bass,

So true. If Obama had taken this type of action in 2012 the children in Syria would not have been gassed to death in 2017.

but I'm asking myself why he did this before the invstigation was concluded. part of me thinks it was a good move if it was to get rid of chemical weapons, but deep down we all know that DT did this for his EGO - now he can say he has bigger ballz than Obama.

So, first dust settled, what are the results? The US Navy threw away about 90 mil. of taxpayers' money (about 1,5 million per missile), destroying 6 old planes and some infrastructure that cost definitely much less then 90 mil. Interesting to note that Syrian personnel and reporters walks freely around the base, obviously not concerned about chemical weapons that were supposed to be there.

Trump gave the order to strike in the hope to impress his guest Mr.Xi. I think Xi was not very much impressed with US military prowess (6 old planes with 60 missiles, wow, what a great score!), but he sure took notice of the false pretext of the US attack. Even before that China was displeased with THAAD in South Korea, now without doubt Chinese got angry even more and they'll stop restraining Fat Boy Kim. America should get ready for more missile tests of ever more capable NK missiles. Remove no-threat and get a real threat in return, great accomplishment. Congrats, or something.

And yes, fight against terrorism. Simultaneosly with the US strike ISIS began its offensive against Syrian army. Is Syria the US supports the same thugs it fights in Iraq. Wow! What a clear and consistent policy!!

Why were 59 missiles required to damage a few empty hangers?

Quality stuffs those missiles are.

Let them destroy themselves

That will be about all of us.

Personally, I believe the US shouldn't have done anything. I'm tired of our country getting involved in other country's business unless it's really worth it.... and Syria isn't worth it.. Russia wanted to get in the fray and we should have left them to it. Syria put itself in this civil war situation, (Thanks Assad...), and I believe it's high time for many countries to suffer the full consequences of their actions.

Let them destroy themselves (and learn some life lessons along the way if any survivors are left), then move in for the clean up. Yes it's sad Assad is murdering his own people along with the "rebels" if that... but in doing so he has destabilized his own country.

Not that the US shouldn't condemn it. Just don't get involved any further than that unless absolutely necessary... The EU and other western powers aren't helping.... so why is the US there?

So Trump is the cradle of the knowable part of what we live in?

Syria asks for this. There are groups in this world you need someone like Trump (impulsive) to deal with.

The Syria war is baddie vs. baddie as former Australian Tony Abbott said. I don't trust both rebels and Assad regime. It may be that Chlorine Gas bomb was planted in that area by rebel group and informer tricked Assad regime to bomb that place. The Assad regime will use Sarin or VX Gas instead Chlorine Gas for Chemical weapon if the regime was wanted use Chemical weapon on Syria rebels. Perhaps, the Syria rebel groups are trying trick US and Alliance to direct attack on Assad regime and to remove Assad by force. You have to take lesson from Iraq war and how US Government was tricked to attack Sadam Hussien regime. In the end, everyone was blaming US Government for Iraq war. They are liars. US Government should let UN to sort the problem. It was UN job and that why they were paid handsome salary. Syria civil war was not started by US or West. US doesn’t need to take blame for what happening in Syria. In the end, the Muslims will always blame the West for whatever bad thing happen to them.

No, it sends the message to the terrorists that they can keep on gassing civilians time and time again

Eyewitnesses on the ground reported the attack came from fixed-winged aircraft; something the rebels don't have, but Assad does.

Next. . . .

"The US missiles destroyed a training facility, a material storage depot, a canteen, six MiG-23 aircraft in repair hangars and a radar station. Meanwhile, the airbase’s runway, taxiways and aircraft on the parking apron remained undamaged"

Cost:

$14,750,000

Interesting, now liberals worry about the cost of this? Where were they 8 years ago????

A great victory for small-hands Trump.

It's not like they can't go back again. At least he didn't do an Obama and sit on his hands. At least hospitals and villages with innocent people weren't hit.

Obama didn't retaliate

Russians wanted Trump

They can't complain - they got who they wanted

At least Trump let them know beforehand about the attack and to move away

This decision was to send a message to the world that the U.S. will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons. Nothing more and nothing less. It was well executed and no doubt Assad will think twice before doing it again. Kudos, Mr President.

What?!!

No, it sends the message to the terrorists that they can keep on gassing civilians time and time again, whenever they desperately need a helping hand from the west.

This decision was to send a message to the world that the U.S. will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons. Nothing more and nothing less. It was well executed and no doubt Assad will think twice before doing it again. Kudos, Mr President.

Of course, the Russians are condemning the attack, but behind closed doors you can bet they're telling Assad to knock it off. . . .

Turn the screws on him, dismantle his military, facilitate his demise and try to rebuild Syria.

Please could you kindly sign up at the army offices to assist with this matter?

There sure seem to be a lot of people who want to use this attack to stop looking at Trump & crew's Russian connections.

True. The screws were tightening and he needed this distraction. Same old tired trope used over and over again!!

What a mess happened after Saddam Hussein and now another country in the neighborhood. Its still the center of the globe over there and how comfi to to look at from isolated islands.

Mods - Please let the readers decide what (or who) is relevant to each discussion)

Moderator: That would be impossible.

And why did the Russians agree to press pause on the S400 system?

Perhaps they don't want to unnecessarily give the US a chance to test Russia's defense systems.

This missile strike accomplishes several goals for Trump. First, it differentiates him from Obama, who drew a "red line" in Syria, and conveniently forgot about it as soon as Syria stepped over it.

That's right, Obama assumed that most people were not so stupid as to believe Assad used chemical weapons; Trump realized that they were....

"How about allowing the Syrian ppl to decide for themselves?"

pretty hard to do when men of fighting age are more preoccupied with fleeing the country in droves and letting the women do the fighting

There sure seem to be a lot of people who want to use this attack to stop looking at Trump & crew's Russian connections.

Seems they may be worried that there's something to be found there.

And people continue to think Trump is stupid?

This missile strike accomplishes several goals for Trump. First, it differentiates him from Obama, who drew a "red line" in Syria, and conveniently forgot about it as soon as Syria stepped over it. Obama's credibility in the region never recovered.

Second, it grabs headlines. Trump is at war with the mainstream press, and an attack on Syria forces the press back away from slinging mud and report genuine news.

Third, it purports to show that Trump is not in bed with Putin and Russia. Why would Russia steal the election for Trump when Trump immediately puts forces in the field against a Russian backed regime? Either "Russiagate" is a complete fabrication, or the attack is a diversion to make it seem like Trump and Putin are not holding hands, which would make Trump more Machiavellian than his critics think his limited intelligence makes possible.

What it most means is that America appears no longer to be sitting in the back seat in multinational conflicts, and signals that America had dug up Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick," and is not afraid to use it. Attacking Syria is probably more intended to show North Korea that America is still capable of using force when it cares to.

Hmmm. Committing acts of violence to stop acts of violence. Hmmmm. Gotta think about this one. Think I've heard it before. Now, where and when was that? BTW, happy 100th anniversary of US declaration of war on Imperial Germany!

****Jimizo - "How about allowing the Syrian ppl to decide for themselves?"

Yes, but that always throws up the possibility of electing the wrong guy and having to sanction, drone or bomb the living daylights out of them.****

So based on that theory, as a lot of people around the world think Americans elected the wrong guy, should a coalition bomb America and replace him?

Most interesting thing that US and IS attacked Syrian army simultaneously...

Lotsa comments. Got my daily exercise just getting down here. Wonder how much damage a single cruise missile does, how much they cost, and.....what's Assad got to say.

@zichi

I usually do. The only reason I didn't this time was because it was posted as an opinion since there were no references. Readers could take it or leave it.

"How about allowing the Syrian ppl to decide for themselves?"

Yes, but that always throws up the possibility of electing the wrong guy and having to sanction, drone or bomb the living daylights out of them.

Inconvenient and expensive. It can be good for poll numbers though.

I'd welcome any information from anyone with more knowledge of this.

Here is an article from the WP that goes through the Trump admin talking points, e.g., justification, position on Russia's involvement, etc. Obviously these points were leaked by the WH.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/04/06/trump-administration-on-syria-strikes-russia-faces-a-choice/?utm_term=.20053a55d742

Directly from Donald's mouth or tweet:

@realDonaldTrump

Now that Obama's poll numbers are in a tailspin-watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.

10/09/12, 2:39PM

Let that sink in for a minute people!

@jimizo

Sure.

http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2017/04/donald-trump-is-an-international-law-breaker.html

Mainly chlorine with some Sarin, they are saying. An interesting background briefing here on Chlorine and its effects.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/03/chlorine-gas-weapon-syria-civil-war-170314110043637.html

Asaad need to be kicked out and somebody put in his place that the US and Russia can agree on.

How about allowing the Syrian ppl to decide for themselves?

@Fizzbit

Thanks. Could you provide a source? Who said this and where did it appear?

I'm not dismissing it, but I'm as understandably cynical about things like this as I am about what comes out of the US government ( and others ) after seeing the filthy things done abroad on very dodgy pretexts.

It's hilarious to see the Russian troll trumpettes melt like snowflakes. Genuine trumpettes praise Trump's punishment of Putin and Assad, but the cognitive dissonance by the Russian troll farm trumpette appears to have broken them mentally. Utterly hilarious, and glad to see that this creepy Russian obsession is now dead

@jimizo

Here is one persons belief. I would agree with this.

Donald Trump's decision to launch cruise missile strikes on a Syrian Air Force Base was based on a lie. In the coming days the American people will learn that the Intelligence Community knew that Syria did not drop a military chemical weapon on innocent civilians in Idlib. Here is what happened: The Russians briefed the United States on the proposed target. This is a process that started more than two months ago. Their is a dedicated phone line that is being used to coordinate and deconflict (i.e., prevent US and Russian air assets from shooting at each other) the upcoming operation. The United States was fully briefed on the fact that there was a target in Idlib that the Russians believes was a weapons/explosives depot for Islamic rebels. The Syrian Air Force hit the target with conventional weapons. All involved expected to see a massive secondary explosion. That did not happen. Instead, smoke, chemical smoke, began billowing from the site. It turns out that the Islamic rebels used that site to store chemicals, not sarin, that were deadly. The chemicals included organic phosphates and chlorine. There was a strong wind blowing that day and the cloud was driven to a nearby village and caused casualties. We know it was not sarin. How? Very simple. The so-called "first responders" handled the victims without gloves. If this had been sarin they would have died. Sarin on the skin will kill you. How do I know? I went through "Live Agent" training at Fort McClellan in Alabama.

@Jimizo

indicate Trump thinks this is the case. Who's to blame for this?

Those who convinced Trump in it.

First, it is Gulf monarchies (a meeting of Trump with Saudis several days ago is very noteworthy). These medieval despots are in no way better then Assad, but contrary to him they invest hugely in the US and support the petrodollar system, thus they buy US friendhip and an attentive ear of every US president. Money talks, right?

Second, it is neocon/liberal Washington. These guys are hellbent to reshape Trump, since they failed to stop him becoming president, into something that will be more like Hillary, so they put huge pressure on Trump. Very possible that CIA, not very friendly to him, simply fabricated intelligence on Syrian chemical weapons - lied as they did with Saddam nukes program. It's a tradition, even the Vietnam war started with a lie about the Tonkin Gulf attack. And they can not care less about the victims of the gas attack that is supposed to be the cause of the US aggression

So, what we've got? We've got a Pyrrhic victory for Trump. He bought some breathing space and some reluctant approval from neocons/liberals. But that won't last long. They know now that Trump can cave in to pressure and will continue to do it until they reshape him completely.

And the negotiations with China will become even more difficult. Does anybody here think that Xi is afraid of this demonstration of US military might? Mr.Xi is a polite man - he'll smile broadly during his meeting with Trump, he'll say many pleasant things, but on his return to Beijing he'll simply stop all restrictions on North Korea. And the US will never attack North Korea - America never attacks those who can really defend himself. So Japan will have to live with even more motivated nuke-armed North Korea and even more assertive China. Thanks a lot, American allies!!!

Great time to use this as a distraction!!!! Way to go trumpy!

Boom boom, here we go again. As per usual, certain parties will make huge profits from any conflict.

@CH3CHO: Of course I remember the WMDs in Iraq, I was there from 2004 through 2009. Small quantities of chemical weapons were found but not in quantities that were expected (500 or so chemical artillery shells that were not declared). But you are correct about the intelligence at that time however this is an entirely different case. They have survivors with clear evidence of Sarin gas and the actual flight path of the aircraft that dropped them.

Turn the screws on him, dismantle his military, facilitate his demise and try to rebuild Syria.

Yeah because that hasn't been tried before has it and how did that work out!?

These doing the rounds is just cracking me up though. Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA - IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Think of it, the Arab League doesn't want to get involved with Syria - but they want us to do their dirty work. How stupid!

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump For all of those fools that want to attack Syria, the U.S.has lost the vital element of surprise-so stupid-could be a disaster!

finally!! something I can agree with Mr Trump , Asaad , Putin and his buddies need to be sent a message that this BS wont be tolerated. Asaad need to be kicked out and somebody put in his place that the US and Russia can agree on.

There was a process underway in accordance with international law. A new compromise text of the draft UN resolution setting up the investigation has been gaining the support of most of the permanent and non-permanent security council members (apart form America) and it was supposed to be put forward today.

America's track record of disregarding the international system when they find it inconvenient should worry everyone (even if you've already drawn your own conclusions and think the strike was justified). We either live in a world where countries work together to follow the established rules and procedures, or we live in complete lawlessness where anything goes (ie. Putins invaision of Crimea and China's artificial Islands). The real winner of Trump's strike will ultimately be Putin and China who are aiming to collapse the current international system.

While the deaths of 75 civilians is horrific, let's put this into perspective. There have been tens of thousands of civilians killed in conventional attacks over the past 6 years. Over 900 in March alone. Chemical weapons are especially horrible, but if the suspected use of these weapons allows any country to ignore the security council and act on its own, it sets a very dangerous precedent. If the 'good guys' can use it as an excuse to justify almost anything, so can the 'bad guys'.

@Fizzbit

Fair enough. I think any honest person would admit Trump is the most ignorant president in memory when it comes to foreign affairs with the possible exception of Bush 2. Bush 2 seemed to rely on the team around him and that was an extremely successful way of conducting Middle Eastc policy as we all remember.

I'm not in a position to say who was behind the gas attack. I was under the impression it was under investigation. Am I mistaken here? I'd welcome any information from anyone with more knowledge of this.

Gotta give credit where it's due: good on Trump for punishing this war criminal. What a total humiliation and failure for Putin, hopefully some punishment is dealt to this criminal too

I actually support this. It's a military target, and the Assad regime have been raining terror from the skies for how long now? 5 Years? They are not only incapable of leading their country fairly out of the horror they have led it into, but they continue to just murder people.

5 years is too long. Enough has to be enough. The world has just sit by and let this happened, and Russia has supported it actively.

Turn the screws on him, dismantle his military, facilitate his demise and try to rebuild Syria.

techallAPR. 07, 2017 - 02:44PM JST

The War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 allows the president to use military force for up to sixty days without reference to Congress, with an additional thirty days to permit disengagement.

It is a domestic rule. The international law says that a declaration of war is necessary before the commencement of a hostility. Violation of the international law is a war crime.

techallAPR. 07, 2017 - 03:04PM JST

Russia is the guarantor that Syria no longer had chemical weapons. So either Assad lied to the Russians or the Russians lied to the rest of the world.

Of course, there is another case, where it was the rebels that used the chemical weapon. Do you remember WMD in Iraq? I think "some one" is tampering the intelligence.

@jimizo

Then Trump needs to go back to coloring books as well. I'm not buying it.

The sheer impetuousness of this attack makes it truly frightening.

Maybe you need to look at more facts before calling it impetuous.

The U.S. showed the public the radar tracks of the plane that dropped the bomb. Autopsy performed showed it was sarin gas, and a Syrian bomb would have destroyed most of the so-called rebel stockpile, just a Russian lie.

The U.S. made a strong public case and debated the response for nearly 48 hours with the benefit of classified information.

Impetuousness was on the part of Syria for thinking it had a green light from Trump admin's stupid comments and Russia for supporting Assad's war against Syrians.

@otherworld Looks like Liberals might get their wish of a war with Russia.

Comrade, this makes no sense. Or is this the message Nashi's getting its keyboard brigade members to send around in attempts to keep the liberals-are-the-enemy meme circulating. I'm surprised I haven't heard 'Obama did it' yet. Rightists and Russians: Trump's your guy.

Im done with Trump... This is EXACTLY what I expected from a Clinton president....

Clearly, there was no difference

@Fizzbit

You said the other day that anyone who thinks Assad was behind the gas attack needs to go back to colouring books. Launching missiles at Syria seems to more than indicate Trump thinks this is the case.

Who's to blame for this?

@FizzBit: Although I might not agree with your assessment point by point , I DO agree that the root cause and thereby blame is not to be laid on the doorstep of one president.

And I'm amazed by some posters who think this attack will make Kim more docile. You seriously think so? The main and the only lesson Fat Boy took from the fates of Saddam and Quaddafi - never surrender your nukes, or you're dead. Trump's actions will only strengthen this belief, now he'll double his efforts to build capable nuclear ballistic missile deterrent.

Amazed I agree for once with Asakaze. Missile strikes are a message, not a strategy. Trump yesterday was all for banning Syrian refugees (including children) to the US and discussing a post-war scenario with Assad still in power. Today, both of these are reversed. What will tomorrow bring? I doubt that even Trump knows.

Trump has said many times that he will bring unpredictability to US foreign affairs. That is a very, very bad idea. If Trump wants to send a message, whether to Assad or to lil' (fatty boy) Kim, he must adopt a theme and stick to it. The problem with Trump is that he only remembers the opinion he derived from the last person he talked with.

You do REALIZE it was GWB's war with Iraq that has led to all the misery initially in Iraq & now also in Syria??!!

Hardly. That was part 4. Part 1 supporting Saddam with weapons and green lighting his attack on Iran, as well as his attack on Kuwait. Part 2, Bush senior's war in Iraq. Part 3, Clintons sanctions which killed up to 500,000 children.

Nope, Russia is the guarantor that Syria no longer had chemical weapons. So either Assad lied to the Russians or the Russians lied to the rest of the world.

When I first read of the strike, I thought "Oh boy... this is a big escalation of the conflict", but now that I've had time to think it over, I'm thinking this might have been the right move to make. A single targeted attack in response to a specific incident (the illegal use of chemical weapons). Why it's true that Obama inherited this mess from GWB, he did draw a red line over the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing when that line was crossed. He was a president with good ideas, but he was a bit weak in backing them up with actions.

I don't think this action draws the US any further into the conflict. There are no more US boots on the ground. What it does is say to Assad and Russia is that we do have limits and we will act to cross them. The way regimes like Assad's work is to say it wasn't them, and if they're caught, they'll join peace talks and then string them out forever, while continuing to do whatever they want. North Korea does the same. They do it because there are no consequences to terrible things they do. As long as the US govt set out clear lines of communication for when they will act, this can actually make these regimes think twice about what they do.

By the way, this response would have been planned after the last similar incident. I have little doubt it would have been delivered regardless of who was president. Though it pains me to say it, I'll put my first tick in Trump's report card (though it may be a very, very lonely tick...)

Looks like Liberals might get their wish of a war with Russia.

Even Trump Hater-in-Chief Nancy Pelosi agrees with this. Quote:

“This week’s unspeakable chemical weapons attack is only the latest in a long series of horrors perpetrated by Bashar al-Assad on innocent men, women and children,” Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement issued on the attacks in Syria. “Tonight’s strike in Syria appears to be a proportional response to the the regime’s use of chemical weapons. If the President intends to escalate the U.S. military’s involvement in Syria, he must to come to Congress for an Authorization for Use of Military Force which is tailored to meet the threat and prevent another open-ended war in the Middle East.”

As the only Syrian here, I applaud the entrance of the Americans. Like it or not, it was the right thing to do. To do nothing would have emboldend Assad to continue more attrocities against the syrian people. no matter where this goes, even if it stops with only a few missiles, it has sent the message to Assad that he cannot do as he pleases and he is not immune just because he is buddies with Putin.

The War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 allows the president to use military force for up to sixty days without reference to Congress, with an additional thirty days to permit disengagement.

Saudis elated.

TBH, I think this is a good thing. Now the pariahs around the world know there will be consequences for war crimes and other aggressive actions. As zichi mentioned, NK would be wise to take note and return to the negotiating table

dcog,

You do REALIZE it was GWB's war with Iraq that has led to all the misery initially in Iraq & now also in Syria??!!

So will trump now have to deal with.......HIMSELF! Wait forget I said that as I am sure he would relish that...

There is also the small matter of the US constitution prohibiting any president from waging war without congressional approval unless the US is facing an immediate threat, but that is something for Americans to deal with domestically.

Rand Paul is calling the President on this one, i.e., no need to defend the U.S. and not even speaking with Congress.

The US spoke with Russia in advance, but that was required under the agreement to limit conflicts in the area.

One bad thing about Trump, he has been painting himself into a corner by speaking so freely. The same type of bluster against Assad was aimed at N. Korea. What will Trump do about NK?

The Trump admin's comments prior to the gas attacks also likely assured Assad. After the attack, oil prices increased rising and could slow down the world-wide economy and bolster Russia.

The world is complicated.

If any conspiracy theory goes here, then, perhaps the Russians secretly asked the US to hit the Syrians because they were starting to grow over-confident and ignore sensible moderating advice from their Russian friends. (?)

Although I do agree that something needed to be done as a result of the sarin gas attack, I think Trump was the least qualified "leader" to carry out a viable plan. He thought that attacking a base would show the U.S' military capabilities and it would not be intimidated like previous administrations. With tension so thick around the world that you could cut it with a butter-knife I'm certain that this impulsive act will lead to a chain reaction of massive proportions. I wholeheartedly volunteer Trump supporters to be at the front line on the battlefields.

So, we have a re-run of events of 2003, then it was "Saddam has nukes", now it is "Assad did it". Trump badly needs a quick victory and tough act to show he is a tough and successful president, and the US military-industrial complex is delighted with a new military campaign. In such circumstances who needs a proper investigation of the incident, right? To hell with this nuisance!

And I'm amazed by some posters who think this attack will make Kim more docile. You seriously think so? The main and the only lesson Fat Boy took from the fates of Saddam and Quaddafi - never surrender your nukes, or you're dead. Trump's actions will only strengthen this belief, now he'll double his efforts to build capable nuclear ballistic missile deterrent.

The bottom line: this attack is a tactical victory for Trump, but eventually it'll bring America much more serious trouble.

I, for one, would actually give Trump some credit for this one, although I am pretty convinced that McMaster and Mattis were behind this. Assad used chemical weapons on his own people, despite assurances from Russia that their cache would be contained. Syria needed to be told that this won't be tolerated. I still think Obama made a huge blunder when he did not order strikes on Syria back in 2013 when the chemical weapons were first used. Although back then, Trump tweeted that we should stay out of Syria, in spite of his hypocrisy I am willing to concede that this action was necessary.

Love how all the question marks get replaced with exclamation ones because the US decrees it so. Now, I doubt if the Syrians are going to directly respond to the American attack by attacking American troops or aircraft, or even the ships which launched the attack, but they are likely going to stop trying to appease the US by granting the US backed terrorebels even a token victory at the negotiating tables. Indeed, it just became a lot more likely that the determination to liberate every inch of Syria will include the Golan. There are three things that will develop in the next few hours and days 1)How complicit was Russia in the American Attack? If the Russians turned off the air defenses and evacuated the base, as seems to be the case, they may have avoided a direct confrontation with the US, but at a considerable cost to their reputation. 2)How do the American politicians and public react to the constitutional violation the President doing this without oversight represents. 3)How will this play out in Iran (subjected to chemical weapons attack by the US backed Saddam's regime, with active complicity of the US, which then accused the Iranians of being the perpetrators) especially given that it is election season there. Remember, the present Iranian President is identified with the policy that being reasonable in the face of American unreasonability would pay off, and the US has done everything it can to make sure that it doesn't. It's almost certain that after the elections, there's going to be a government in Tehran that is a lot more likely to offer real support to the prodemocracy movements in Yemen, Bahrain, Palestine, possibly even Egypt.

the Russians told Assad missiles will be launched at the airport and Assad evacuated his aircraft and personel and the missiles hit the tarmac and a few emptied buildings. What is the purpose of a strike if it doesn't inflict any damage ?

If the tarmac and buildings were blown up, surely that means there was damage? The airport will be out of action for a while - no more gas attacks launched from that airport.

Would you prefer to see more blood and guts on your nightly news?

Ann Coulter says she hopes North Korea bombs Seattle because 90% of the residents did not vote Trump. Looking forward to Bass telling us that's her prerogative and Serrano lecturing us about Coulter's moral authority to fantasize about wiping out a major American city.

@serrano Trump made the right decision.

Do you think being a warmonger, e.g. launching missiles at a sovereign nation, is a good thing? Please explain how Trump's warmongering decision is the 'right' one. Or did you mean right as in rightwing. And do you think Trump's lavish lifestyle should be paid for by ordinary Americans, i.e. the peasants? Are the rules different for him and his fellow ruling class members?

What does a mere businessman know about being Commander-in-Chief?? Not a single thing!

zichiAPR. 07, 2017 - 10:52AM JST

So America is at war with Assad.

I am wondering when the US declared war against Syria. Did the Congress pass a resolution?

The surprise U.S. assault marked a striking reversal for Trump, who warned as a candidate against the U.S. getting pulled into the Syrian civil war, now in its seventh year.

Oh, it was a surprise attack. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hague03.asp

CONVENTION RELATIVE TO THE OPENING OF HOSTILITIES

Article 1. The Contracting Powers recognize that hostilities between themselves must not commence without previous and explicit warning, in the form either of a reasoned declaration of war or of an ultimatum with conditional declaration of war.

Trump made the right decision.

Gen. Jack Keane reacts to US airstrikes in Syria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZCEDY7rGPc

Marco Rubio: President had legal, moral authority to attack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS_rkGifYUQ

You don't suppose President Putin had a say in what, and what not to hit ? No, course not he was to busy wrestling a Russian Grizzly into submission.

President Trump will waste little time peacockin' the message across to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Trump stare, the hand clenched, the thumb at a right angle, the single finger pointing upwards......that final Tomahawk says those South China Sea sand castles are going straight back were they came from buddy.

This is not a war! The Syrian is in no position to do anything to avert an attack from the US.

They lied about Saddam’s nukes and they were caught trying to frame Assad for gassing civilians in 2013 and 2014. The UN and the pentagon confirmed Assad surrendered all his chemical weapons. And now that Assad is winning the fight against the terrorists and the US is hinting that Assad can stay, we are expected to believe that he decided to use chemical weapons against civilians.

Maybe the US was starting to feel irrelevant, and needed something to be included in the final solution.

@drlucifer, The attack was specifically timed for when there would be the fewest number of personnel on the base. The purpose was to destroy equipment, facilities and stockpiles of weapons.

Readers, Hillary Clinton is not relevant to this discussion.

Clinton would have started World War III, she was all for that. Trump said no, but has now changed his mind based on what happened. He cant win either way, if he does nothing he is criticized and if he does something he is also criticized. But, he is man enough to just handle it as he showed. Now I hope it is handled and Syria/NK/China realize that he will do what needs to be done so they can back off and back down.

Well done, Trump. No messing around. Smash the evil Assad into a big glass crater.

Before the strikes, U.S. military officials said they informed their Russian counterparts of the impending attack. The goal was to avoid any accident involving Russian forces.

And the Russians told Assad missiles will be launched at the airport and Assad evacuated his aircraft and personel and the missiles hit the tarmac and a few emptied buildings. What is the purpose of a strike if it doesn't inflict any damage ?

blacklabel: Seems anti-Trump people would be happy that Trump is doing what they want for once.

Well for quite a while, and on quite a few threads, more than a few people held on to this nutty belief that Clinton would start World War III. It seemed so out of left field for us and the intensity with which they believed it was pretty....odd? scary? sad?

So, yeah, after enduring months and months of craziness, I think a couple of posts are in order.

"Sometimes the stupidity of people on social media scares me."

Me too. Nobody more than the twittering trash merchant Trump.

At least the people you quoted aren't in charge of the world's largest military.

I am seriously concerned for the future of our world. I jumped on social media for 2 mins to see what the common person reaction is. I get these:

'Trump notifies Putin but not Congress'......#Syria -and- 'this will not distract us from the Russia investigation' -and- if he cared so much about Syrian kids he should have allowed them all to come to America -and= 'Headache running on ten & donald trump interrupted my show just to say we going to war . He so dumb ! Somebody should kill him'

Sometimes the stupidity of people on social media scares me.

"Wait a minute, isn't the gas attack still under investigation?"

That's what I thought. Anyway, a trifling matter. Boom!

Has he sent out a chest-thumping tweet yet?

Got to be honest didn't nor expected this to come at this time.

Hope 'shock and awe' works out better than the last time.

Hillary agrees with this and CNN had a 7 year old girl make a video to try to encourage it. Seems anti-Trump people would be happy that Trump is doing what they want for once. Trump supporters that I have read are not particularly happy with him for doing this. But will it gain him ANY good will at all with the other side? Nope, now that its done everyone took down their Facebook videos of Syrian kids and are back to 'But Russia!' already.

@serrano no matter what Trump does or doesn't do, as far as you're concerned it will be wrong.

That's pretty much true for me. I recall your calling Hillary a warmonger many times. Do you think this second instance of Trump's warmongering is of the good kind? Knowing most of his followers are pro-military, do you think this missile barrage was a case of wagging the dog to deflect from his inept start and re-win their support from his followers? I'm sure all Trump supporters are dismayed seeing his taxpayer funded royal lifestyle on display paid for by peasants. But then the rules for peasants are different, aren't they.

Lets wait and see what repercussion this will result in.

Remember when Trump supporters were trying to say Hillary would start a war?

A historic moment of international consequence where a wise decision must be made, and it will be made by a complete idiot who doesn't even listen to his daily CIA briefings.

At least this so called idiot has just put Assad, the Iranians, the Russians, Chinese and the North Koreans on notice something the other idiot was incapable and unwilling to do, that's why the monumental disrespect and feeling they could do anything with impunity. I think now they get the message.

"A historic moment of international consequence where a wise decision must be made, and it will be made by a complete idiot"

Sure, Crazy, come on, admit it, no matter what Trump does or doesn't do, as far as you're concerned it will be wrong.

Oh my...

Trump: As long as US stands for justice, peace will prevail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqXQ3YGZ9QQ

It's a good thing we didn't elect Clinton, that warmonger.

This won't escalate, at least I don't think it will since Assad won't be able to give much of a response

TBH, I think this is a good thing. Now the pariahs around the world know there will be consequences for war crimes and other aggressive actions. As zichi mentioned, NK would be wise to take note and return to the negotiating table

In an ideal world, yes dcog. Thing is those nuttas could also opt for a very different solution i.e a/ all-out war in the region, b/ retaliation against their own ppl, c/more instability in the region etc. There is a reason why euro powers in particular have been very cautious with ME issues, they know too well that some of the nuttas next door have nothing to lose and would be more than happy to clash with western powers on their soil or abroad.

Would Trump (or Bush before him with Iraq) bomb Syria if 'the bad guys' were 2-3h from his own ppl? Isn't it wise sometimes to avoid actions that may escalate the situation? Time will tell if this was a wise move or not but as of now it is only a swift, unexpected move that could potentially inflame an already tense situation.

Now hearing there may have been Russians at the targeted airbase. Kind of hoping this is "fake news".

I am interested what the international response to this will be over the next couple of days. I think this was a good thing to do IF this is all that happens. Definitely should make China and North Korea to at least reconsider what they will do moving forward.

I also want to see how many hypocrites crawl out of the media and government now that Trump has done something that CNN and Hillary Clinton both supported doing.

Not exactly surgical strike weapons.

Worried that the cure might be more costly than the disease.

Wait a minute, isn't the gas attack still under investigation? Why the hasty attack on the airbase? And I find it so funny that the US is so outraged by the gas attack that killed many civilians, but justifies their bombing attacks in Syria just a few weeks ago that also kid many. many civilians. In any case, North Korea, unlike Syria, can actually retaliate if they're attacked like this. I won't be surprised if Xi will play chicken with Trump.

Nevertheless, Russia’s Deputy U.N. ambassador Vladimir Safronkov warned that any negative consequences from the strikes would be on the “shoulders of those who initiated such a doubtful and tragic enterprise.”

They sure would.

Syria gets to start again with a flat airfield.

Gotta remember, Assad's use of chemical weapons was one of Obama's "lines in the sand". Russia was supposed to have overseen the destruction of all of these weapons in 2014.

$96M blown ($1.6M each). Certainly there are more cost effective ways to retaliate. What about that great diplomacy Pres Trump claimed to have mastered?

I doubt Xi enjoyed his dinner tonight. The guy who told him all options are on the table regarding North Korea just started a war with Syria.

There are no good guys fighting in Syria. Where are the rightists claiming Hillary would have started WW3 by setting up a no-fly zone in Syria which would provoke the Russians? Where are those who claimed she was the warmonger? Is Trump's warmongering of the good kind, like his nepotism and conflict of interest?

And as some have already said, with Xi at Trump's resort, he's sending a message - that the US will unleash its military force to preserve the control of its oligarch's businesses worldwide.

Here's what we all feared. A historic moment of international consequence where a wise decision must be made, and it will be made by a complete idiot who doesn't even listen to his daily CIA briefings. God help us. Russia is not about to mess with the US. But I guess we will find out rather quickly if they have anything on Trump.

Unclear also is whether Trump is adopting any broader effort to combat Assad.

Won't get down on Trump for this except to note he's been all over the map on Syria (some say Trump's suggestion two days before the attack that Assad could remain may have emboldened the government to use chemical weapons). The conflict has been and will remain a mess.

Cruise missiles are a message, not a solution. Trump just recently blamed the impasse on Obama. We'll see soon if he has any better ideas.

There is also the small matter of the US constitution prohibiting any president from waging war without congressional approval unless the US is facing an immediate threat, but that is something for Americans to deal with domestically.

Interesting inputs from everyone, good to send a message to Assad, but I just hope they don't get pulled into something deeper if they decide the take out, Assad, then what? Let the rebels take over? Allow Iran to take advantage of the vacuum that will be left? Allow Russia to have a bigger presence? Don't forget, the Syrians are building up along the Israeli border and this could have the potential of drawing them in as well, this could get very nasty and out of control very quickly. But let's see what happens.

Tomahawk missiles were shot the reports are all over in USA right now. Hope JSDF got out a few days ago.

And Turkey will be pleased to see actions not words from the US.

I find this disturbing. Another instance where the established international process is not allowed to run its course because it's been pre-empted by American cruise missiles. Good luck to the OPCW investigators who were supposed to go to this airbase to collect evidence and interview the Syrian aircrews.

And Europeans wonder why people are "flooding" their borders.

TBH, I think this is a good thing. Now the pariahs around the world know there will be consequences for war crimes and other aggressive actions. As zichi mentioned, NK would be wise to take note and return to the negotiating table

What a mess Syria is going to become now, much worse than Iraq. The only way to stop the carnage is for the U.S., Russia, Iran and Turkey to work together. And even if Assad goes, there will be so many factions fighting for power.

This happened faster than I expected. One point for Trump. He's still in a huge deficit.

Obviously, cruise missiles were used because of the risks posed by Russian anti-air.

I just hope that Russians were not caught in the assault.

Will have to see what the follow-up response will be. Considering only cruise missiles were used and the only target was the airbase from which the gas was launched, I would expect this is the end of the attack.

Message to China too?

Putty is not gonna take this attack on Syria too well.

Well... This ain't good news