It was somewhat of a surprise to some that U.S. reacted so soon after the alleged chemical attack by Syrian government. Obviously the present administration has a very thin "red line" that, if crossed, it will react. In a typical political, Washingtonian blame game, all the blame is placed on the previous administration for not having taken action earlier when Syria used chemical weapons. Obama's "red line" of 2013 was crossed so many times with no reaction from the U.S. that it had become a joke. So, in a way the current criticism is right on the mark. But then again, blaming the previous administration for problems has been a tradition among our politicians.
Earlier this year, before she left office, Susan Rice stated that the Obama administration had "resolved" the chemical weapons issue in Syria diplomatically, without having to resort to military action. She seemed quite proud of it and stated that U.S. had made arrangements with Russia to oversee the elimination and destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile that Syria had. We now see how well that went! But then again, what credibility does Susan Rice have? This is the person that went on national TV several times after the Benghazi tragedy and insisted that it was caused by the anti Islamic video! To add to her "credibility," she is currently being investigated for allegedly ordering the spying on Trump's staff! So, I guess we can just ignore her statements and consider Obama's attempt to resolve the chemical weapons issue in Syria a total failure.
The U.S. launching of the cruise missile attack on Syrian air bases supposedly knocked out some of their chemical weapons storage facilities. We won't know for sure if it had any effect or whether it was simply a show of force on our part. Russia so far has not reacted. However, if some Russian personnel were injured or killed in the attack, it will certainly complicate the issue. Earlier Russia stated that its commitment to support the Syrian regime was not "unconditional." What that essentially signaled was that Russia was backsliding, leaving itself an opening in case things got too hot! At the same time, those who think this administration is being too cozy with Russia may take a sigh of relief. By launching a strike against Syria, we have attacked Russia's ally!
It seems that the cruise missile strike against Syria is serving multiple purposes for Trump. It is clearly a signal to North Korea that this administration will back its threats, not just make noise. But then, are we contemplating military action against North Korea? According to the latest Pew Institute findings, almost 75% of Americans approve of military action against North Korea should our government decide to do so. This is really scary! Carrying out a similar strike against North Korea would result in a disastrous situation. Although Kim Jong Un and Co. are playing a cat and mouse game with this whole business of nukes and missiles, trying to gain an upper hand in negotiations and getting the sanctions eased. An attack such as the one we just carried out against Syria would no doubt result in a retaliatory strike from North Korea. More than likely it would be against South Korea, which would perpetrate a return strike from South Korea, and the start of Korean War II! But just to be unpredictable, as he is, Kim might even launch a strike against Japan. Who knows what that crazy will do.
The strike against Syria sent a signal to North Korea to not take this administration lightly. It was also launched just a few days before Trump's meeting with China's leader. No doubt the main topics to be discussed will involve trade issues and currency valuation, but North Korea will also enter into discussions. The signal that Trump is sending to China ahead of the meeting is that he will carry out his threats, that he is not just all bark and no bite as he is often portrayed by the news media.
Whether the cruise missile strike against Syria, the scheduled meeting with Chinese leader, and North Korea's latest antics are all just coincidences, we really won't know. But most pundits seem to think that Trump is trying to send a message, not just to North Korea and China, and of course Syria who was attacked, but to Putin. So far no response from Putin.
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