A Raytheon Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile during a U.S. Navy flight test at NAWS China Lake, California (Nov. 10, 2002) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The LA Times reports that President Trump has decisively retaliated against Assad‘s odious gas attacks. By launching ship-based cruise missiles, this is the first time that US forces have openly attacked Assad’s Syria.
Source: U.S. opens new military front in Syria, launching cruise missiles against Assad’s forces – LA Times
For all the years that Obama was President, the US seemed to keep her military might bottled up. Obama was weak and regimes like those of Assad felt no fear. But America’s military might is to be feared by evil regimes.
On the surface, President Trump has been decisive, intervening after the World reeled in shock at the latest deployment of gas by Assad’s regime. But Assad hides under the patronage of Russia and Iran, so Trump risks an escalation both regionally and globally.
Next we need to wait for a possible responses from both Russia and Iran. With Trump meeting President Xi today, it will be interesting to watch for China’s reaction too. We should also expect liberals to round on Trump. For sure, if the US is again ready to unleash her global military might in the face of evil, we shall see a new geopolitical chess-board. But it escalates the risk of WWIII.
Finally, look for the UK’s response to Trump’s action. Theresa May needs to strengthen her ties and possible influence in Trump’s America – May will know that the EU will probably be hostile to the US intervention.
Thoughts?
Dr Alf's Blog 