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“Short-sighted”: Trump hits Assad airbase in response to chemical weapons attack

Apr 7, 2017 9:17 am By Robert Spencer

There is no question that Assad is a scoundrel. That is not in dispute. The problem with this action is the same as it was when Obama wanted to strike Assad: who benefits? The Assad regime said this strike “can only be described as short-sighted.” Right. The Islamic State (ISIS), although weakened, is still there. The jihad groups that Obama trained and armed are still there. Who benefits from a weakened Assad? ISIS, that wants to destroy the United States and is sending jihadis here to mount attacks. Trump vowed to drain the swamp, but it looks as if the denizens of the swamp, those who proffer the same failed analyses time and time again, have captured his administration.

“Trump launches military strike against Syria,” by Barbara Starr and Jeremy Diamond, CNN, April 7, 2017:

(CNN)The United States launched a military strike Thursday on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians earlier in the week.

On President Donald Trump’s orders, US warships launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the airbase that was home to the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks, US officials said.

The strike is the first direct military action taken by the US against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s six-year civil war. It represents a substantial escalation of the US military campaign in the region, and could be interpreted by the Syrian government as an act of war.

Six people were killed in the airstrike, according to a televised statement by the Syrian’s Armed Forces General Command. Russia condemned the strike as an “act of aggression,” and Assad’s office Friday called it “a disgraceful act” that “can only be described as short-sighted.”

“Tonight, I ordered a targeted military strike on the air field in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched,” Trump said during short remarks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago, where he ordered the strike just hours earlier. “It is in this vital national security of the United States to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons.”

He added: “There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council. Years of previous attempts at changing Assad’s behavior have all failed and failed very dramatically.”…

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Filed Under: Donald Trump, Featured, Syria Tagged With: Bashar al-Assad, Idlib


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Comments

  1. Adrian says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Might not be so short-sighted….

    Trump had talks with Saudis, Jordan, and Egypt – there might be larger movements afoot concerning the big picture we don’t realize yet

    • salim says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:21 am

      I knew something happened to Trump the moment the Saudi crown prince said: “Muslims never had a better friend than Trump”.

      We may not know the dirty games of politics but the golden rule is: whenever Saudi Arabia and Turkey are smiling you know there is something wrong.

      Trump just lost my support!

      • JayT says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 3:57 pm

        Trump did the right thing and if tomorrow prominent Muslim leaders said Islam had no greater friend than Robert Spencer for spreading Islamophobia or whatever other crap they can make up, would you say Spencer lost your support? Your support is determined by what the Islamists say?

        Trump is still going to continue his attacks on ISIS, he’s still going to try to put in a Muslim ban to the U.S. (using different words to get the legal backing, but I don’t care as long as it gets done), and he’s still going to catch and deport them whenever there is cause to do so (overstayed visas, crimes, etc.)

        This sure doesn’t break Assad. It won’t take long for Russia to send replacement jets and equipment for all that was lost in the missile strike.

        The problem is Russia has a very easy way to stop this from happening again. All they have to do is station Russian personnel at all air bases, etc. (human shields), and inform Trump that even with advance warning in the future – they won’t be moving their people out of the way. Trump will be unable to act in force against such targets given those circumstances. If Putin had told Trump, “I’m not going to move my guys out of the way of your missile strike” then there would have been no missile strike at all to discuss.

        • DFD says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 6:52 pm

          JayT says: “…Trump is still going to continue his attacks on ISIS…”

          What? Where? When? I must have missed that.

    • salim says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:32 am

      May I add that the Syrian government forces were doing very well lately and didn’t really need to kill children. Somebody must have thought it was necessary to cripple the Syrian air force to give a chance to the Islamist group of Al Nusra.

      {The President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria-big mistake if he does not!}

      The above tweet was one of seven times Trump criticised Obama for bombing Syria without UN resolution. Now he did the same. Stupid plunder to say the least.

      • salim says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 11:34 am

        oops, meant to be congressional (not UN) approval,

    • Jim says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 12:53 pm

      While I tend to agree with what Adrian says, there is perhaps another dimension. Surely, Assad and his co-conspirators are aware that by seeming to fight ISIS as well as the insurgents, doing so may help shield Assad’s forces from direct attack, i.e. they are needed to help eliminate ISIS. While I am no Trump-lover, I do believe this kind of action was long overdue by the U.S. If nothing else, one would hope that Assad and his followers have gotten the message. While Assad himself may no longer have a way out, some of his military people may be able to save themselves by taking him out and truly taking the battle to ISIS as a means of perhaps allowing some of the military to redeem themselves.

      • rara says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 3:02 pm

        It seems you don’t believe that Assad forces fight ISIS? Really? Ever tried to see the maps of the battles?

        “truly taking the battle to ISIS”? come on.

      • BINDON blood says

        Apr 8, 2017 at 5:20 am

        This is a bad mistake by Trump. The West should be allied with Russia to beat IS ,and the other groups that are trying to destroy Assad ,and restore control of Syria to Assad. He is the best of a bad bunch and will bring stability and he does not persecute Christians or minorities. If IS wins ,or any of the other factions,Syria will become another fanatical Islamic state,Christians and minorities will be slaughtered and there will be a constant threat of war between Syria and Iran.

        • Lioness says

          Apr 8, 2017 at 12:41 pm

          Terrible mistake by Trump. He just gave ISIS the biggest gift, something they could not have accomolished alone: the weakening of Assad that will lead to his removal and the takeover of Syria by ISIS.
          Very naive of Trump to fall into this trap, on a basis of questionable (or fake) evidence.

  2. Richard Paulsen says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:25 am

    Exactly was ISIS wants, isn´t it? Lack of cooperation between US, Russia and allies leading to success for Daesh.
    Dear respected friends. Sweden to. Right now. Do not mean to interrupt. Jsut want to tell that right now probably tree dead in central Stockholm in Sweden. A lorry attacked a crowd outside a store house Åhléns.

    http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/stockholm/lastbil-har-kort-in-i-folkmassa-i-stockholm/

    • EmHotep says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 9:43 am

      Don@t worry about sweden muslims are just celebrating their air strike 🙂

      http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-07/isis-al-qaeda-praise-trumps-attack

      • Richard Paulsen says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 10:03 am

        On a Friday too. Of course.

      • Richard Paulsen says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 10:08 am

        Right.

  3. Anti-islam warrior says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:33 am

    What The Media Is Not Telling You About Who Is Behind The Chemical Attack: Muslim Rebels Were Beh… http://shoebat.com/2017/04/07/what-the-media-is-not-telling-you-about-who-is-behind-the-chemical-attack-muslim-rebels-were-behind-the-chemical-attack-and-now-the-us-government-is-using-it-to-justify-bombing-syria/ …

    • alex9234 says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Do not trust Shoebat. Their material is unreliable and often incorrect.

  4. Abbasid says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Now Trump has done something stupid, big time. I support him, but this is bad.

  5. Allan Mandrowski says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:41 am

    It’s simply Neocon protocol. 50 Tomahawks on one air base, really? That’s more than 50million spent to destroy a single airbase? 50million which could have been invested in, let’s say: the wall?

    Unfortunately, Trump is being manipulated by the neocons to get us in yet another unwinnable and undesirable war.

    As far as I understood from the news articles regarding the chemical attack, it hasn’t even been confirmed it was Assad. Just assumption and innuendo from the mainstream media. Like WMD in Iraq.

    • mousey says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Maybe it was 59 missiles, and only 23 hit the target, and who knows what happened to the other 36. I didn’t have a picture of it in my head until i read 2 navy ships sitting near crete let them fly. What happened to the ones that didn’t make it to target?
      And now russia has suspended a 2015 signed understanding between us and russia about flight safety over syria….

    • Debi Brand says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 4:11 am

      “Trump is being manipulated by the neocons to get us in yet another unwinnable and undesirable war.

      “As far as I understood from the news articles regarding the chemical attack, it hasn’t even been confirmed it was Assad. Just assumption and innuendo from the mainstream media. Like WMD in Iraq.”

      Yup. Just as did the fools he castigated for doing just that.

    • Debi Brand says

      Apr 9, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      “50 Tomahawks on one air base, really? That’s more than 50million spent to destroy a single airbase?”

      Did not even do that much, Allen. They are up and flying out of it already today.

      In other words, Trump was duped, sucked in by a well-executed, well-choreographed dog and pony show.

      Thus, he and his Generals, eager to burnish the face of our “Secular” Muslims and our “strong” alliances therewith, just urinated away 50 million dollars somewhere in the Syrian desert.

      (https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2017/04/05/khan-sheikhoun-chemical-attack-evidence-far/)

      Yes, indeed, “America is Back!” Dumber and “stronger” than ever, and as usual, damn proud of our embellished ignorance.

  6. Lee Hicks says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:41 am

    There are a couple of aspects to this that stand out for me:

    * Weapons of mass destruction – The gasses that Assad has used on his own people are likely tied to ones that came from Iraq, before the invasion took down Sadaam. There was clear photographic evidence of convoys moving from Iraq to Syria, while the US delayed invading as they tried to appeal to the UN. People still pretend that there is no evidence of Sadaam having weapons of mass destruction, when he repeatedly did the same thing to his people that Assad did here.

    * Worldwide hypocritical outrage over the deaths of children – In a world where millions of unborn children are ruthlessly exterminated, pretending that they are just “tissue” and not people, the hypocrisy of expressing outrage over the children in Syria is glaring and nauseating. Such deaths of children at the hands of evil men and women, whether out of the womb or still unborn are inexcusable and tragic, and, “Out of sight, out of mind” is a phrase that applies here. If the children are out of the womb and visible, they are worthy of defense and empathy…If they are unseen in the womb (Even up to the moment before birth), the world allows them to be stripped of humanity and to be murdered in ways that rival Sarin gas attacks in brutality and sheer evil. The worldwide guilt is massive, and the time is coming when mankind’s ethical and spiritual debt will come due (for this and other reasons), with very undesirable payoffs from the offended Creator.

    • billybob says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 8:10 pm

      “Unborn children are ruthlessly exterminated.” You exaggerate. Get ahold of yourself. Fetuses are not “children”, nor the equivalent. They are clumps of cells, depending on the stage.. Do you ever consider when you masterbate that you have just killed “millions of unborn children”?

  7. Don McKellar says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 9:55 am

    Trump benefited. BIG TIME.

    Now that fat little monster in Korea is worried. Now the Chinese leader who is his guest knows Trump is a man of action — who graciously hosted him for dinner and timed the attack EXACTLY for the moment the dinner ended. He knows that Trump is calculating, no haphazard. And and as far as the Middle East goes, now they’re going to take him seriously and know that he will act without making empty threats, nor telegraphing what he’s going to do — and that makes him a foe to fear, which is COMPLETELY unlike Obama.

    Wow, Robert, now you’re sounding as dumb as you did during much of the election campaign. Give your head a shake. Then start using your brain again. And, by the way, isn’t it a good thing to stop a dictator from murdering babies with poison gas? You ask who benefits from stopping that? What did you just say? Look in the mirror.

    • no_one says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:07 am

      You should start using your brain. I do not support Trump anymore.

    • Abu Lahab says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:18 am

      Guy is a bot or something, I saw this EXACT same comment posted on Pam Geller’s page, I think. Or he’s just unoriginal. This was a MORONIC move, and anybody who hasn’t accepted that they voted for a CONMAN should get the wakeup call after this. Trump is just another lying politician who helped out ISIS. Hey, Don McKellar, are you an ISIS supporter? You sure sound like one…

    • Undaunted says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:57 am

      ISIS throws kids into huge dough kneading machines and grinds them to death. But that wasn’t bad enough for Trump? That, and other savageries, wasn’t enough to impel him to bomb the shit out of ISIS strong-holds? There is no way Assad did this; he’s not stupid.

      Robert’s right: Trump fucked up on this one.

      • Wellington says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 12:36 pm

        You know I very much respect you, Undaunted. But I think Don McKellar made some interesting points in his 9:55 A.M. and 10:06 A.M. posts (minus calling Robert Spencer dumb). Perhaps my 11:54 A.M. post you might want to look at too.

        I see a myriad of implications from Trump’s actions. Too soon I think to figure them all out. One thing’s for sure and that is that this knocks down all the more, as though it needed to be knocked down even more, the completely insupportable contention by the Democrats that the Trump campaign colluded with Putin because what Trump did against Syria has been a setback for Putin the likes of which Obama never engaged in—–and weakening or lessening Putin is a good thing I would argue. Also, and just for argument’s sake, what if it was Assad who engaged in this attack? He’s a pretty nasty guy in his own right, as was his father. My guess is that Trump has intelligence on this we just don’t have.

        Would be interested in your further thoughts on this. I do see things here as complex and possibly both beneficial AND harmful to Trump. Verdict on this one is still out for me. Hope you and yours are doing well.

        • Undaunted says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 6:31 pm

          Thank you, Wellington.

          My angst over this issue goes like this:

          – It’s not yet been verified that Assad pulled the trigger, as it were, on the chemical attack. Robert just posted a new story: “UK doctor who documented Syria attack was considered a ‘committed jihadist’ by MI6”. So, the verification of the trigger-man is suspect, in my view. I think Trump could have waited to launch the strike until more evidence was in.
          – I watched his brief speech as he explained why he had ordered the strike and it was full of emotion. Sorry, this needed to be an ice-cold rational decision and what I heard was that children shouldn’t be killed this way so he spun up the Tomahawks.
          – Muslim terrorists kill innocent children all over the world every day. We can’t launch retaliatory attacks just because some kids get croaked.
          – ISIS used chemical weapons against the Kurds; so it’s not like ISIS is off the suspect list.

          I voted for The Donald… because Cruz wasn’t on the ticket. I think he’s a good guy and I support him. As well, I love Ronald Reagan, one or my heroes along with Karol Wojtyla. But I think Reagan did the wrong thing when he pulled the Marines out of Lebanon. But this attack on Syria I think was ill-advised, and though it showed a bit of “cowboy” the world needs to see from the US again, in my mind it begs the question: What about all the other dead kids we are NOT avenging?

          There are more angles to my argument, but I gotta run. Was watching a documentary on Napoleon last night and thought of you.

        • Wellington says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 8:40 pm

          Thanks for your reply, Unduanted. Well, it’s a very “fluid” situation. Here I think we can agree. And I voted for the Donald too. Still for me he is the best, most powerful hope for freedom in all the world, even if he did make a mistake in Syria yesterday, which verdict I think is still out.

          As always, my best to you and yours. And with much respect. Take care. More later I’m sure.

  8. Don McKellar says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:06 am

    Here’s the end game. Let me spell it out for all of you: Assad will be overthrown by his own military with help from the Russians. That’s where this is going. Russia want influence and a warm water port. Assad is expendable and has now become a liability. Trump, Russia, and Syria would be best off with an Egyptian style military dictatorship. Iran loses this way, too.

    All around an excellent move by Trump. Perfectly considered and strategical.

    • Milad Meah says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:23 am

      hope you are right – sounds reasonable to me

    • Wellington says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:54 am

      You’ve made some interesting and provocative points, Don McKellar. They’re at least worthy of consideration. One thing I do know is that all the sides in the Syrian conflict are bad guys. I proceed from this assessment and go from there, which includes taking in NO Syrian refugees (except absolutely identifiable Christians). Let the Muslim world deal with their fellow Muslims since the Muslim world created this mess as they have created so many others.

      Additionally, I would like Trump to publicly state that other Muslim nations are responsible for their Muslim “brethren” and they are the ones that need to give them shelter and refugee status. No more crap with a country like Saudi Arabia not taking in any of these refugees.

  9. De Doc says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:12 am

    International power politics is rarely easy and almost always messy. Trump did what had to be done and sent a message to more than just the Assad regime and its allies. There’s a new sheriff in town and he isn’t wearing mom jeans.

    • Abu Lahab says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Hey, is this Don McKellar using another name? How does this help us in the war on the Islamic State? You left that out of your analysis. Also, as Robert Spencer has made clear, oh, a thousand times on this blog, we don’t need macho bluster or Cold War fossils named “Mad Dog” to win this. It will take counter-propaganda, tough immigration policy, and a mix of developing our own energy resources (both fossil and alternative) to win the long ideological struggle. But this? This is worthless and does NOTHING to take down the Islamic State OR the US-backed groups in Syria linked to Al Qaeda. Do some damn homework before opening your yap next time.

      • moeped says

        Apr 8, 2017 at 2:20 pm

        Who says they’re going to stop the removal of evil daesh? This bombing was simply a show of strength to the world with the U.S. claiming the moral high ground at the same time.

  10. emelbee says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:13 am

    “Gulf of Tonkin” REDUX —

    The two battleships already were positioned inthe Mediterranean before the alleged “chemical weapons” attacks.

    The US has learned nothing from its improvident and ill-fated “make the world safe for democracy” idiocy, destabilizing the Middle East by deposing heads of state including Saddam Hussein, Muamar Qaddafi, Hasni Mubarak and now attempting to overthrow Assad in Syria, leading to further chaos and inevitable confrontation with Russia, China and Iran.

    The US action was a casus belli — an act of war.

    Can you imagine the outrage and the US response had a US airbase or facility been attacked with dozens of ballistic missiles by a foreign power?

    How soon before we hear:

    “My Fellow American, today, as I speak, brave men and women of the US military are on the ground in Syria to restore peace, order and democracy. I ask the Congress and the American people to support our troops”!!!

    Can World War III be far away?

    This American action in Syria will strengthen ISIS – precisely as Mr. Spencer has warned.

    Heaven help us from this insanity.

    • TL says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 4:57 pm

      See my remarks above to De Doc about unting Asian powers against the most pernicious empire for the purpose of expelling its gangsters from Asia. When I wrote it I had in mind also, but didn’t mention, an obvious fact to publicize making peace between Japan and China: It was the pernicious empire which set Japan on its misguided course of imperialism and military aggression to rid eastern Asia of Western predators.

    • TL says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      That should read: about uniting Asian powers.

  11. emelbee says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:15 am

    “Gulf of Tonkin” REDUX —

    The two battleships already were positioned inthe Mediterranean before the alleged “chemical weapons” attacks.

    The US has learned nothing from its improvident and ill-fated “make the world safe for democracy” idiocy, destabilizing the Middle East by deposing heads of state including Saddam Hussein, Muamar Qaddafi, Hasni Mubarak and now attempting to overthrow Assad in Syria, leading to further chaos and inevitable confrontation with Russia, China and Iran.

    The US action was a casus belli — an act of war.

    Can you imagine the outrage and the US response had a US airbase or facility been attacked with dozens of ballistic missiles by a foreign power?

    How soon before we hear:

    “My Fellow Americans, today, as I speak, brave men and women of the US military are on the ground in Syria to restore peace, order and democracy. I ask the Congress and the American people to support our troops”!!!

    Can World War III be far away?

    This American action in Syria will strengthen ISIS – precisely as Mr. Spencer has warned.

    Heaven help us from this insanity.

  12. Crusades Were Right! says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:23 am

    The sooner Robert Spencer is Trump’s main adviser on Islamic and Middle Eastern affairs, the better!

    • Michael says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 9:33 pm

      Don’t we wish, Crusades Were Right! Don’t we wish …

  13. Infidel lives matter says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:28 am

    Disappointing. Trump promised to destroy the Islamic State, but instead he goes after Assad. The disastrous Mad Dog’s idea? In any case Erdogan and IS are happy today.

    • Abu Lahab says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:26 am

      Thanks for calling out Mad Dog. I found it really disappointing how many Trump supporters thought this guy was the answer just because he has a cool name and talks big. However, at every chance, he made it clear that he a) thought Islam wasn’t the problem b) was more worried about Russia and Putin and c) generally didn’t have a clue about any of this! I knew he was bad news as soon as I heard NPR flacks gushing over him during an interview.

      It’s obvious there has been a quiet coup in Washington this week: Nunes recused, Bannon fired, McMaster solidifying control, Hillary making a speech calling for this right before it happened, etc. And Trump? He is just fighting for his political life and will toss ANYBODY from the sled who inconveniences him.

      Every person with an intelligent thought in their heads on the Religion of Peace is being systematically removed from power. Flynn, Bannon, etc.

  14. Rob says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:29 am

    “Who benefits from a weakened Assad? ISIS”

    Sure, but who benefits from a stronger Assad? — Iran.

    • Milad Meah says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:20 am

      Sure, but who benefits from a stronger Assad? — Iran.
      who is the enemy of Iran – TURKEY?
      who is the enemy of Turkey – IRAQ?
      so confusing YOU tell me – make a rhyme out of this

    • Abu Lahab says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:30 am

      I am a serious Zionist and NO FAN of Assad or Iran, but the reality is that Iran a) did not attack us in San Bernardino b) did not attack us in Orlando. A tiny minority of jihad attacks in the West are committed by Shia. It is clear to me that the biggest threat to America is Sunni jihad, and ANYTHING that weakens the Muslim Brothers and Sunni jihadists is good for America. It is sad that this has caused a split among Zionists, some of whom clearly have sympathy for the Islamic State as a buffer against Iran and Syria.

      However, you will NEVER be able to sell Americans on the Sunni Jihad as the “lesser evil”. NEVER.

  15. Richie says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 10:56 am

    A bad move, and if Trump morphs into a GW Bush clone with neocon advisors, and a desire to cause ‘regime change’ , his base will shrivel, and he’ll be a one term wonder Iike Franklin Pierce. The turd in the puncbowl people are ignoring is that Islam is what destabilizes the middle east

  16. Bill McKenzie says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:08 am

    It’s extremely far-fetched to believe the Syria / Russian line on the chemical attack, just looking at the facts we know, and reportedly we have some very convincing intelligence that Assad did in fact use chemical weapons again. I support Trump and I agree with his response. Furthermore I think it sends a much needed message to North Korea that the Trump is willing to act swiftly and decisively. This should also put to rest much of the conjecture that Trump is somehow Putin’s puppet.

  17. no_one says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Not a Trump supported anymore. I wonder if Pence is better.

    • Abu Lahab says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:37 am

      He’s not. Pence is even worse on these issues. I really thought Trump would stick to his guns, but the media has been so relentless on Russia that he has been forced to submit. Pence will be more of the same.

  18. Milad Meah says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:11 am

    “Short-sighted”: Trump hits Assad airbase in response to chemical weapons attack
    BIG MISTAKE – He has started listening to his daughter.

  19. Ed Lee says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Robert, you are wrong when you agree with the Assad regime that the airstrike on the Syrian airbase was short-sighted. Assad is just another Muslim who wants to subjugate or kill all non-Muslims. As for anyone who thinks we do not know the origin of the chemical attack in Syria, we have been flying surveillance missions over Syria since at least 2014. We know exactly what is happening there, and the location of everything within inches. Lastly, I am somewhat more critical of chemical warfare than many. My father died in 1988 from the long term effects of poison gas experiments conducted by the U.S. Army at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland in 1943, that he participated in.

    • Milad Meah says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 11:17 am

      Assad is just another Muslim who wants to subjugate or kill all non-Muslims if so – why did he not get rid of the churches and christians?

      • Ed Lee says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 1:25 pm

        Christians are so outnumbered they pose no threat to Assad or his government. He can use his “tolerance” for them as an excuse to say, “See, I’m a moderate Muslim”.

    • salim says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      Assad is hardly a Muslim at all; I think he just pretends to be. At the most he is a secular muslim.
      Aasad army was doing well lately and has no need to use chemical to kill children; what is the point? The UN inspectors certified Syria has no chemical weapons. Assad knows the consequences of using chemical weapons.

  20. Milad Meah says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Syria chemical attack took place the same DAY as St. Petersburg attack- Time difference shows that there was intelligence info but the timing somehow got lost in translation.
    syria conflict is more than the eye can see – Chemicals were supplied by Turkey.

  21. August West says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:19 am

    So Trump wants to replace Assad? Replace him with whom?

  22. JS says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:27 am

    ISIS is next… one at a time, please.

  23. JS says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Seriously, I really hope that Trump won’t forget his promise to wipe out ISIS… I hope this strike on Syria is part of his plan to destroy ISIS.

  24. salim says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    I am glad to see Robert Spencer stands with his principles, which is what people with integrity do. Support Trump when he is right, oppose him when he is wrong.

    • Debi Brand says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 4:21 am

      “I am glad to see Robert Spencer stands with his principles, which is what people with integrity do. Support Trump when he is right, oppose him when he is wrong.”

      Amen. Indeed.

  25. RationalVoice says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    The Middle East is luring us in again. One the one hand appealing to our humanitarianism when we see terrible pictures of suffering children,on the other consuming our lives and treasure.
    Trump is finding out how different campaigning is to government and decision making.
    Putin has ended the agreement to accept warnings from US to avoid areas where their planes are operating so unless this attack is a one off there is a possibility of the two very sophisticated air forces clashing and the possibility of WW3
    What to do when you are between a rock and a hard place ? Go for the safer option ie Keep out of that awful can of worms called the Middle East (most of the World does)
    Stop trying to play the Worlds policeman. Unless USA is directly attacked just monitor the situation.
    Cruise missiles wont solve anything. It didn’t with Gadaffi and it wont now.
    There is no good guys in the Mid East. Only Muslims living out the teachings of their unholy books.
    Its sad for the innocent children but what about our innocent children who also suffer when demented muslims kill their parents even in our own streets never mind fighting in that hellhole so incorrectly named the Holy Land or the Cradle of Civilisation !!!

    • emelbee says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 1:07 pm

      Entirely correct and well put.

  26. Mitch Classic says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Was so hopeful for this administration. For all Trump’s big government, anti-free-trade faults, I was thrilled that we finally had a White House showing signs that it understood global jihad. If he can get THAT turned around I will forgive the rest.

    Then they (Priebus?) get rid of Mike Flynn, then Steve Bannon, and now we’re back to the same old crap.

    Two months in and Trump has pretty-much blown it.

    • DFD says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Mitch,

      It’s a hell lot worse than you think. Trump is, IMO, bought and paid for by George Soros. Want proof?

      • Wellington says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 1:34 pm

        George Soros hates Trump, DFD——-and for many reasaons. Besides, no one can buy Trump because he already has so much money. Really, DFD, what you stated is a whopper. Be careful lest you lose your credibility.

        • DFD says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 1:50 pm

          No time now, I’ll respond a bi later

        • DFD says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 6:38 pm

          Hi Wellington,

          First of all, let me state this, I believe that Trump is ***emotionally*** our man! But is he free to follow his heart? Please Wellington, don’t take me as a sour puss, but read what I have to say and study the links, there will be a final comment from me after the links.

          So, why am I of the opinion that Soros has undue control over Trump? At the very least, or to put it mildly. Let me begin by asking a question: Who controls who, the creditor the debtor or the debtor the creditor? The answer is obvious.

          In 2005 Trump built his Chicago tower, very expensive. He borrowed money, a total of about $800million plus, of which ~$600million came from Deutsche Bank. The loan from Deutsche Bank was a normal, straightforward loan, the kind that is customary among developers and their financiers. This loan was repaid, correctly.

          There were however another $200-300million in form of a “mezzanine” loan. This type of loan would be considered by most people to be nasty, tricky and what not. It can, easily, break the debtor. It is toxic by nature.

          NOTE PLEASE: The exact dollar figures are given in the links below. These links have other links, which also show documents, as far as these are available. Note the sources thereto, within those links, lead to Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, etc., I omitted the German ones like Handels Blatt and similar, since these require a full understanding of the German language.

          So what about that mezzanine loan. At least part of it was from George Soros, well, one of his companies. If you look into the other companies, they are or were at least partially under Soro’s control. And they were adamant that it was a mezzanine type loan, nothing else.

          Why is that important?

          The mezzanine loan was forgiven, cancelled. What did Soros get in return? NOTHING! Well, nothing that is known of, no shareholding, nothing, nothing at all. So, George Soros, a self confessed Anarchist, “forgives” a loan of ~$60-150million to a hardcore capitalist and deal maker! And that capitalist and dealmaker, Donald Trump, could get that loan from Soros only under toxic terms, i.e., a mezzanine loan. And not only did Soros’ company “forgave” that loan, so did the other two! Do you think that they kissed a total of ~$300million good-bye because Trump is such a charming fellow? Or did they make an emergency chute, in case plans go wrong, or at least not as hoped for?

          Alternatively of course, one can take a humoristic or sarcastic view, namely that Trump said: “Hey fellows, you kiss your money good-bye, I save it by not having to repay it, I also save the interest, and on top of that my tower amortizes a lot faster and thus my profits increase even further and faster! And it has become a lot cheaper on top of all that!” And Soros said: “What a good idea! Here is my money and that of my companies. Sorry Donald, sorry that I had the audacity to make it a loan in the first place, And even a mezzanine one. I really am ashamed myself. Love, George.” So in summary, he owes Soros ~$60-150million in “forgiven” loan, and about another $300million in saving cost, faster amortization and thus also increased value of the building concerned in reference to acquisition cost. And Soros did let him have that for free? No conditions?

          I cant help it, but I don’t think so. I think George saw a possibility to safeguard his interests in case things get hairy. A fall-back for a few hundred million, not much for George – and to an extent, it’s a tax write off. (Well here in Europe it would be, don’t know the US laws or regulations).

          Now, let’s have a look. Trump gets elected, we have our man in, OK, I am in Europe but spiritually he had my vote!

          What does he do? He takes on the Chinese, achieves nothing. The Chinese press is rather triumphant. He goes with outstretched hand to Putin – and achieves nothing. He snubs his European friends and supporters, Gert Wilders, the AfD in Germany, LePen, etc. all the people hated and fought against by Soros. Kick starting the US economy? Nope. Nothing so far. Plans against Islam? A watered down version of an original Obama plan to restrict certain immigration, and even there he faces severe opposition. Saudi Arabia and the Twin Towers in NY? Nothing. But he’s making progress, of sorts, with a wall to Mexico… Whoppeee! What next? A USMC guard at the Alamo, with a daily change of guards like in Buckingham palace in London? Sorry, but it doesn’t look impressive does it, not even the efforts.

          His cabinet? A collection of millionaires. To what extent are they keen on fulfilling his election promise of helping the US blue color workers and small businesses; I somehow doubt that. He had one good man, our man!, in there, Steve Bannon – who had to go. So, how many of our guys are left? None! He has however appointed four Goldman Sachs guys into key positions in his cabinet, one of which is an “ex”-Soros man… Ex-Soros? Soros’ organizations are ideological based and oriented. Consequently his staff is hired under those parameters. So, the term “ex”-Soros is a bit of an oxymoron, even if he is no longer under Soros’ (direct) pay. He worked for Soros because he met the ideological Soros requirement, otherwise no job with George. He wants devotion, dedication to the cause!

          Now the links, You have to copy and paste, otherwise this post will be filed or disappear under “your comment is awaiting moderation”. So here we go:

          trumpsoroschicago.wordpress.com/2016/03/19/trump-soros-chicago/

          conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/02/trump-pals-around-with-george-soros

          pionline.com/article/20081009/ONLINE/810099993/developer-sues-soros-fortress-cerberus

          moneymorning.com/2016/03/02/this-little-known-trump-soros-connection-will-surprise-you/

          Wellington dear fellow. I am sorry to pile on such a lot of bad news, but looking from Europe, I may have a more detached view than you have. You are after all “in the thick of it” as it were. Also, you will recall that I initially had very few reservations about Trump. But given the disappointments and the discrepancies between his promises, his talks and his actions, I began to search. Didn’t take long.

          My final hope on him? Let’s hope to God he fights, that his emotions take over and that he says: “The devil may care, I stand what I stand for!” There is that possibility, but what will happen then? He can take the view that his son will continue his business, he already does whilst he himself is president. Soros can take the same view. Merkel receives his son, like royalty. Who has what to lose? Trump could and up with impeachment, Soros would have to make a runner – not the first time in his life. I am sure he has plenty of bolt holes.

          I don’t know. But I am worried that Trump is not what we hoped for. Only consolation, Soros would have loved to have Hillary in place – but better to have a reluctant and troublesome servant in place, than an outright enemy.

          As you know Wellington I do value your views. So let me know what these are, may be we are lucky and I am wrong, but it doesn’t look like it. To other readers, sorry for throwing such a heap of caution onto our hopes. But it is better to be realistic. And a bit of pessimism to be disappointed in, is much better than too much optimism to be disappointed in (awkwardly phrased, sorry, England, 11:30pm…)

          I don’t not know if you read this, so I would appreciate a response or indication on your behalf.

          Regards, DFD

        • Wellington says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 7:36 pm

          In a nutshell, DFD, you are suffering from a bad case of Overthink. Linking Trump to Soros is goofy.

          Trump is an American patriot and Soros hates American patriotism. Trump is for borders and Soros wants no borders. Trump needs no money so Soros can’t bribe him as he can others.

          This is enough (there’s a lot more) in and of itself to disprove what you have contended. And take care of that “Overthink thing.” Sometimes, the simplest route to the truth is the best. Actually, most times, contra almost all conspiracy theories big time.

          One last matter. You may have noticed by now that I virtually never provide a link to anything. I do acknowledge that occasionally a link to this or that story can be helpful, but it is my overwhelming opinion and point of view that one should argue their points independently of links. I think we suffer from a great deal in this silly age we live in. One of these “sufferings,” among so many, is what I call “linkism.” I don’t want to read long screeds, even if good ones (which most aren’t). Rather, I want argument from someone, citing an authority here or there perhaps, citing a quote here or there perhaps, but enough with the effing links. I got “linked out” long ago. Besides, to the extent that one relies upon links, to that very extent, indubitably I would contend, has such a person become an intellectually lazy person.

          One should make their own damn case for something on their own. With links to articles kept to an absolute minimum. No doubt here.

      • mousey says

        Apr 8, 2017 at 2:47 pm

        dfd,
        unlike welliington, i love and appreciate links.
        soros’ repulsive self seems to be everywhere, and to have a connection to trump is disconcerting. It’s so true that things just don’t feel right with trump. I hear people saying that he’s playing chess and etc etc, but this last thing with syria seems to be a real fold. Of course we don’t know much of what is really happening, but still….just doesn’t feel right.

        thanks for the comments and the links

        • Michael says

          Apr 8, 2017 at 2:53 pm

          DFD, i would love to see those links. I’d rather know the truth than live in an illusion, which is 90% of all of this anyway.

          Halfway through Kalergi. very fascinating. concepts and observations and ideas that are very interesting to read.

          I appreciate any links to anything that might lead further down the rabbit hole. when i realized 9-11 was what it was, it effectively shattered any trust in the appearance of anything.

          Links, please!

        • DFD says

          Apr 8, 2017 at 4:37 pm

          Mousey and Michael
          ================.

          Mousey: “…Of course we don’t know much of what is really happening, but still….just doesn’t feel right…”
          ———-

          Goes way back, pre-Saddam even. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the US want an oil & gas pipeline to the Mediterranean. That means through Iraq and Syria. Without paying either of course, and the Mediterranean terminal being under ‘international control’ – never mind that it is on Syrian territory. Well, Saddam got his dues, and Iraq was transformed from a hotbed of (invisible) terrorism into a peaceful, democratic state, where terrorism is unheard of. And of course, the world can sleep a lot better now after all those WMDs have been found and removed. OK, these too were invisible, but we can trust “our” intelligence services, can’t we?

          That left Assad, when he was utterly obstinate, guess what, the Arab Spring reached Syria. Damn bloody Damascus, you still can eat ice cream there in street cafes. Christians and Yazidis are not persecuted by him, unless they act against the state. Then the state acts – outrageous, what state on earth would do that? Only Syria! Ts, ts, ts… Well, those bastards, eating ice cream, drinking beer and wine in the evening, they’ll soon find out what such provocative behaviour will result in. Bring on the babies – and bomb Damascus! Those babies will need avenging.

          Al Qaedah, An Nusra, ISIS, and many others, who is financing them? Ah yeah, the gulf states. Ever noticed the difference between ISIS and Saudi A? None! And they help spreading Wahabbism and Salafism. Thus making the area safe for Sunnies.

          Ah, just good that we have those moderates, no not ISIS, but **all** the others… What a relieve to know.

          Michael: “….when i realized 9-11 was what it was…”
          ———–

          I am writing about 9-11. There were ***TWO COMPLETELY SEPARATE EVENTS***. I am writing this for Mac, he has an impeccable service record with the US forces, he was a seal. Involved with demolition work.

          Let me put this way, the Reichstag was indeed set ablaze, but that was all! It needed to be brought down…. Reichstag? Silly me, I meant of course the WTC! Oh dear…

          About the next links. OK, the next bit is about the ‘School of Frankfurt’. Actually it should be called ‘School of Frankfurt and New York’. The school was founded and funded by the Bolshevists, the Comintern (Communist International).

          Go to: https://www.jihadwatch.org/2017/04/australia-muslim-women-accuse-ayaan-hirsi-ali-of-white-supremacism/comment-page-1#comment-1646763

          There you will find the link. The school and Kalergi are two different things, but very compatible. Once you have that under your belt, we can proceed with the really bad stuff….

          Let me know if you downloaded it, i.e. received/read this or not. I don’t want to post blind.

        • Michael says

          Apr 8, 2017 at 4:59 pm

          Thank you, DFD. Got the link, at the site.

          Very interested in all that you share.

          Interested in any thoughts you have on the Black Pope — which I understand is a real figure. And the Catholic Church, as well. I think most of us are aware of a tad bit lurid history of pedophilia. My son did intense and long research into everything some years back. I was the one who turned him on to 9-11, and he went a long ways with things thereafter.

          You’re sharing a history with me that I’m unfamiliar with. I know some of the names, but more in passing. It’s all extraordinarily complex, and sometimes gets my head to spinning. It takes me awhile to absorb things, as my subconscious works on putting pieces together from here and there. Once I get something, I generally get it. Not always quick. But I’m persistent.

        • Michael says

          Apr 8, 2017 at 5:09 pm

          Reading your comments, I’m quite eager to read about the Schiller Institute — the formation of words, concepts, determining how they would be received — the power of words. Words are everything in this battle. Guns in the end, perhaps. Even then, words. Words cause us to act. Words are our thoughts. I work with words all the time — advertising. I have long thought of words as sacred because of their power. Just a few words — two or three, sometimes one — can change everything. CAN. Most words hardly penetrate the conscious, let alone the subconscious.

          I have long figured that who we’re up against are extraordinarily brilliant men — and I presume mostly men. They have unlimited resources, hire and use and develop the brightest minds.

          I found fascinating the quote that ‘Christianity is the only thing they have to fear.’

          My field of understanding is expanding. Thank you, DFD.

  27. Krazy Kafir says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    Well, there’s one aspect of Trumps actions that haven’t been discussed, and that’s the left’s never-ending mantra that Trump was in Putin’s pocket, and too close to Russia. That’s been shot down now. I wonder if that had any impact on the decision to strike.

  28. Irene Brekelmans says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    Be aware, the earth at the moment is full of “snakes”, and they had a lot of time 1.400 years plus more,
    but snakes when they continue to be snakes, at a certain moment they bite into their own tails, that is what happens to snakes. Snakes will be snakes an they will not bite in the front, but in the back. That is why you can not be careful enough. So Robert and others that go there, be careful, because they will strike all of a sudden, and that is why Trump has to be careful with his strikes. Turkey, and Iran play a very big role in all this, I think Putin too, but a lesser role. May be we should be quite for a while, so they don’t have anything to go on, I don’t know what is wise at this moment and let the trattoria people clean up this mess.
    To Robert and all others. Our prayers will be with you at Truman University. You will meet people like that all the time, and these people are the future of our countries. I am looking forward to it and I am happy that we have a loving God, who says: Stay calm about this all and trust and I surely hope we can do that.

  29. common sense says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    I say this with great humility and respect:
    This does potentially strengthen ISIS in their fight against SYRIA, since 20 Syrian jets were destroyed and six are reported killed plus a base that has been mostly ruined. We MUST have known about this base storing chemical weapons already to have acted so swiftly.

    Destroying any potential stock piles of chemical weapons and no more empty threats is the other side of the coin and we already know that ISIS is burning and raping little girls, its just as unacceptable for Syria to use banned chemical weapons that Obama’s admin and minions in the media repeatedly said were gone. What a whopping lie that was.

    There are also alledged to be eye witness accounts that Syrian jets took off from that base and dropped those evil sarin gas bombs. I hope it’s not neocon fake news, we need real intel not excuses. As smart as Robert is and y’all are we do live in the unclassified world. Either way those chemical weapons shoud not be there.

    https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155287837181336&id=15704546335&ref=m_notif&notif_t=like&_ft_=qid.6406293410806872624%3Amf_story_key.2887714790138403159%3Atop_level_post_id.10155287837181336&__tn__=%2As

    I support Trump still, even without congressional approval cause guess what good people? He would have never gotten approval from the sorority sisters.

    We will deal with and ARE dealing with ISIS and they are no stronger against us for this act just my opinion. ISIS strength in the western world is in there ability to carry out jihad attacks, terrorize, squash free speech and infiltrate us. They already are sponsored by Iran and our ex traitor POTUS Obama may pigs poop on his face and can not square up with us in battle.

    The N Korean salamander, China, Russia, Iran and the rest will have to think about things now, our leader showed that he stands by his convictions and if this turns out to be a big fuck up I still stand by him. What are we going to do light candles and send flowers? That won’t do shite to make people pay attention to children being killed by sarin gas or get rid of potential stock piles of it and he did warn Russia we were striking the base. It’d be forgotten as fast as ISIS buring girls in cages or the attack on parliment had he not done it.

    I’m with Trump, I support our military and our field operatives and analysts. They are doing the dirtiest hardest work.

  30. DFD says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    RS says:

    “…Who benefits from a weakened Assad? …”

    A – Our allies. Al-Nusra (Al Qaeda that is), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. So, SA & Q ***really want that pipeline*** through Syria – without paying the Syrians of course. And a terminal at the Syrian coast, international, no Syrian government, of course. And when Assad refused, the Arab spring in Syria started. Pure coincidence, naturally.

    “…at the airbase that was home to the warplanes that carried out the chemical attacks, US officials said….”

    A – by question: If they knew where the attacks came from, why didn’t they prevent it? After all, when you know where it came from then you know what is going to happen, also, there are US and NATO planes over Syria.

    —- Further: In 2013 there was the same story, heart breaking pictures of babies – always an emotion grabber – etc. etc. Obama spelled it out: “Assad has crossed the red line…and…bla bla…” Problem: The CIA advised him that Assad had no manufacturing capabilities for Sarin, and didn’t have any in his stocks. But Turkey had and has the facilities to manufacture and store, plus the planes and containers/bombs to deliver them.

    Let me put it this way: The Syrians are fleeing from ISIS, AL-Nusrah, Al Qaedah, etc. In any direction, first of all towards Assad, then Turkey and Europe. Assad is fighting those factions/alliances. Now he is supposed to bomb the people whose only hope he is? But not bombing his, and their, enemies? When his troops liberated Aleppo, the people there celebrated Christmas with Christmas trees… And he is supposed to bomb such people with a highly uncontrollable gas – which can drift into his own lines? Does this compute?

    Pipeline…. Oh yeah. He already has fulfilled part of his promise of massive job creation. He authorized a pipeline from Canada to the US. OK, wont create massive jobs, it’s mostly build by machines, minor detail. But it certainly will help Canadian oil producers and American oil companies, but not US oil producers… Well, he certainly shows integrity. Depends of course how one defines ‘integrity’ – oh dear….

  31. Mike says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    I’m with Trump on this one.

    I think that he’s trying to “fix” the Iranians, and send a message to the Russians and Norks at the same time. This is actually a good move.

    Next up, ISIS. I’m all for that too. But this is a good start.

    Iranians, ISIS, etc., are all a danger to the USA.

    Trump is right.

    • Wellington says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      I’m leaning in your direction, Mike. Time will tell.

    • DFD says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Mike,

      I don’t believe you thought his thru. Neither the Russians nor the North Koreans are susceptible to “messages”, for different reasons though.

      Fixing the Iranians by bombing… that doesn’t make any sense at all.

      Next ISIS – they are **THE** beneficiary of the bombing, they are probably laughing their heads off. Now the US is bombing Assad, the only enemy they fear, and who really is fighting them. They could well be shouting 1,000 extra Allah-u-Akbars in gratitude for Trump’s action. Apart from ISIS, their financiers Saudi A and Qatar will also be smiling. They are also financing “our allies” Al Nusrah/Al Qaedah and similar. And of course, Erdogan, friend of Saudis and Qatarians. Yes, the very Erdogan who has the manufacturing ability for Sarin, has stocks of Sarin, and the ability to deliver it.

      Think again dear fellow, think again.

      • common sense says

        Apr 7, 2017 at 2:20 pm

        DFD- your logic computes, there are some other things to factor.

        First let me say, I don’t think its a good move I think it’s war and it fecking sucks and I dont want us in that mess or their refugees.
        Trump did what he felt was appropriate based on intel we are not privy to. As examined ‘Syrian rebel forces’ against Assad have ‘elements’ of Al-queda and ISIS fighters. I must admit that I have no idea who is calling the shots for these Syrian rebel forces. Maybe you can educate us on that? You seem to have a grasp on the going ons of the region.
        Chemical weapons are outlawed as we all know. They are hopefully now all destroyed and I dont think this strike necessarily hands the region to ISIS and Al-queda. How will THEY sort through it even if they manage all out victory against Assad? They are Satan’s spawn after all.

        • DFD says

          Apr 7, 2017 at 6:44 pm

          Thanks for your thoughts. Yeas, I do have good knowledge on Europe, the near and middle east. But it’s late now and I am getting tired.

          If you are interested I will give a reply tomorrow or the day after that, on this thread. I don’t like jumping about.

          Please advice if interested, if so, bookmark this.

  32. Richard says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    Positives of Trump striking Assad:

    -weakens Iran
    -intimidates North Korea
    -gives Putin second thoughts over pursuit of hegemony in the region
    -silences domestic critics charging collusion between Trump and Russia
    -deters use of chemical weapons on all sides

    Negatives of Trump striking Assad:

    -temporarily strengthens ISIS

    Seems to me that although this strike was an imperfect solution to a very thorny problem, the benefits outweigh the costs. Iran is poised to deploy nuclear weapons; ISIS is not. A temporary strengthening of ISIS won’t threaten global stability; a nuclear armed Iran with Russian support will. Defang Iran, put Putin in his place, puncture North Korea’s bubble and then – wipe out ISIS. Despite of their savagery they’re the least of the evils right now.

    • Alien Republican says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      I agree. At first I had been extremly disappointed by his move but then came to similar conclusions. If you consider how moderate the damage to Assad had been, an therefore unlikely cause an escalation with Russia it would even pass for a well calculated move. Still – I’m bothered by the idea that I might be wrong and Trump really bought the “whilte helmets” and similar organisations accounts.

      At the end of the day I will always prefer an US President with muscular approaches over a or rather “the” sweet talking Messiah encouraging violence and terror with passivity. The next time Iran should be prepared to stomach 400 missiles rather than pocket 400 million dollars.

  33. bipedant says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 2:45 pm

    So many armchair diplomacy experts here, my head is starting to spin.
    As Wellington noted (12:36pm). “My guess is that Trump has intelligence on this WE just don’t have.”
    Without having such crucial intelligence, how could you possibly grasp the wider picture to make a creditable decision?

    • Richard says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      True – I’m no expert and my diplomacy is most definitely of the armchair variety, but I base my impression of the situation very much on the assumption that Trump (and the White House and the Pentagon) did indeed base this strike on so-called actable intelligence and that he’s not just an irrational loose cannon. Of course I can’t grasp the wider picture; none of us can right now. But we can make some observations based on the information we have at the moment, which is all I was trying to do.

    • common sense says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 2:56 pm

      The biggest question is why would Assad use chemical weapons on his own people just to attack Syrian rebel forces? Revenge and hateful vindictiveness or was it really as Putin stated? They bombed a building which released the gas? So either way the illegal chemical is there and killed children.

      It was the first thought for everyone I know with multiple reiterations here.

  34. emelbee says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    Russian missile-laden frigate, Admiral Grigorovich RFS-494, is en route to the area.

    The US destroyers are rearming their missiles.

    What could possibly “go wrong”?

    Be careful what you start – be very careful.

    Here, America has perpetrated a Syrian “Pearl Harbor”.

    Russia is not “Iraq” – or “Libya” – and when “push” comes to “shove”, as appears to be happening, there will be China who will join with the Russians.

    • JayT says

      Apr 7, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      Emelbee, I suggest you take a look at Jane’s Defense online to get a good idea of how laughable the Russian navy is in a naval shootout with the U.S. It’s only the nukes (and yes, that’s plenty right there) that allow Russia a detente footing with the U.S.

      When a U.S. admiral was asked what he thought about the Russian Navy sailing to South America to join in naval practices with I believe it was Venezuela at the time, the admiral laughed and asked, Will the Russian Navy of around 6 or so capable ships be able to make it that far? A Chinese admiral once commented that he thought the Chinese Navy was around sixty years behind the U.S. Navy in numbers and capability. Remember, numbers only count if you can actually sustain them over time in support. A non-repaired, non-fueled, unarmed, navy ship is just a hunk of junk on the water.

      In all aspects of conventional arms, the Russian navy is a beetle compared to the combat boot of the U.S. Navy.

      There was someone else who posted here that the U.S. aircraft carriers were sitting ducks, only capable of frightening weak countries. There’s another person who is woefully ignorant of what a carrier group projects in terms of offense and defense. Kinetic rail guns that fire shell-like projectiles at over mach 5 up to 100 miles away, lasers, and close in anti-aircraft systems like phalanx, are just some of the nasties the carrier alone carries (assuming the dozens of fighter craft on board decided to overlook you on the way in). You still have to get through the defensive screen of anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-sub, and so on naval ships and subs accompanying it. If that’s your job as a Russian naval commander or pilot then you must’ve been hated by your superiors.

  35. common sense says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    It’s strange to see. We all know with certainty that our country has been sold out, picked apart, drugged up, over fed, harrassed, feminized and attacked over the past 25 years while our govt seemed to ignore, encourage and in some cases facilitate it. No thanks to Barry.
    We make a stand to take it back, reverse the trade deficit, create more US jobs, become fiscally sane, loosen up regulation, tighten our borders, deport criminal aliens, stop the blaming of other people, become unified again and get back to work. We’ve seen the resistance to this MAGA in congress and in the streets and in business and Hollyweird.
    In one act now we are suppossed to just give that fight up whether this strike is a mistake or not? That we are suppossed to continue on our spiral with our heads down, shuffle our feet and wring our hands? Feck Russia Iran and the middle and feck the EU while were at it. George Washington is spinning in his grave.
    The other countries of the world and the miscreants here are looking to finish the job on us, the globalists, Islam and China. They’d love nothing more than to see us quiver over this one act back into submission and continue their barrage. That’s not going to happen. Feck em all.

  36. VaeVictis says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Surely the US has enough problems without starting another war. America first, concentrate on issues closer to home. Dumb move!

  37. underbed cat says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 5:43 pm

    I have my doubts.that the bombs.Assad dropped..had chemical nerve gas….although he may have bombed an isis held warehouse that may have had nerve gas located inside, isis has used it before I believe, they are very deceptive, theatrical and have killed their own children and then place the blame on Assad. The result is to weaken Assad and pressure Trump to act after this horrible event…but I felt sickened that Assad was blamed since it is reported he is protecting Christians and Jewish citizens and isis is cheering. I hope Trump had accurate information before he decided to attack. .Assad’s was beating isis at the time, after seven years of war, either way, it is a heartbreaking mess. Add to that the often cited fake report from the Human Rights which seem to support isis…and my opinion of Macmaster is one who said that Assad has slaughtered “his own people” when it is a part of the population, embedded isis that is also attacking Assad’s people. If the evidence proves Assad did use chemical weapons, there is not much hope left for the people he protects. Terrorism has too much support, and are experts at propaganda.

  38. Kiel says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Al-Assad is a murderous tyrant, no doubt about it. But the US strike is no more than a gesture. Moral indignation maybe fueled the US response, and it’s not bad. The strike was but a lash out and doesn’t make any prolonged effect.
    Anyway, the Arab Mideast is a quackmire to be avoided. Let the Arabs kill each other for good.

  39. vladkoval says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    I heard a story that centuries ago Europe suffered from epidemies of plague.
    And the transmitter of the disease was the kind of black rats. Then the kind of grey rats was imported. The grey rats devoured the black rats and additionally their kind was not a transmitter of plague bacterias. Thus, the epidemies ceased.
    I don’t know if it is a historical-scientific fact or just a parable, but what Putin-fan-boys of the West do not understand is that fighting the obvious Evil, which Islam is – doesn’t automatically makes you a white swan – you still remain just a rat, just a filthy, abominable repulsive rat … what Putin is.

    • Alien Republican says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 1:09 am

      Islam has been an eneym of Christianity and with that Europe’s since 1400 years. That cannot be said from Russia. Russia has been fighting on Switzerlands soil gainst the invading French. Just a curisiosty – during famine of 1816/17 in Switzerland Zar Alexander sent 100’000 Rubels as aid. Well. nothing of that relates to Putin directly but I’m trying to say that perceiving Putin as threat is not a given. Personally, I feel more threatened by Germany (Merkel & Mignons) that never invaded Switzerland than France..

      • vladkoval says

        Apr 9, 2017 at 4:07 am

        Napoleon gave Independence to Poland occupied and oppressed by Russia.
        If you are in Poland you can see that a lot of men have the name “Polek”, it’s short name for “Napoleon”. Up to now Napleon is the hero in Poland and babies are named in honour of him.

        100000 Rubles? Where did he get the money?
        Ah, I know, from the slaves in Russia. Don’t you know that Russia was a huge slavemaster, and the slavery was abolished not by goodwill, but as a result of losing Crimean War against England and France.

  40. Dov Berrol says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    Not to oversimplify the complicated, multisided violent Arab tribal war being played out here, I too support what Trump did this week. As a Zionist concerned for the only liberal democracy in the Middle East, I am relieved the axis of evil (Iran-Hizbollah-Assad-Russia) now feels the might of the American military which has been absent since Obama became president. The attack hopefully is a warning shot to Hizbollah which has thousands of missiles aimed at Israel in South Lebanon. I am not that naive to believe that weakening Assad will close down the Muslim Jihad against the west. Even if the chemical warfare was a fiction created by Isis or other jihadis, it does not matter. The Russian-Iranian-Assad-Hezbollah axis needed to be hit by the west. Otherwise, Israel and the democratic world will begin to face far greater dangers doen the road. Netanyahu would not applaud this publicly if he did not feel it was the best of a lot of not-so-effective alternatives…like doing nothing. So what if Isis and Hillary are applauding it too? It does not lessen the value of what Trump decided to do. At minimum, Israelis living not far from Lebanon and Syria can sleep a little more secure tonight. After all, was it not Assad that tried to retaliate for Israel’s bombing of a Hezbollah shipment just a week ago?

  41. Eric Jones says

    Apr 7, 2017 at 11:13 pm

    I am sorry ladies and gentlemen street corner psychology does not work on the world stage. Trump’s missle strike did not send a message of strength or intimidate anyone.

    World leaders watched Trump campaign for one year as anti intervention. So why is he following neocon tactics all of a sudden? Who is really advising Trump? Can Trump be trusted in negotiations? Will he keep his word? Is Trump always impetuous? If Trump has nukes and I have nukes how do I know that Trump will no go for a first strike? Trump’s missle strike has created an atmosphere of instability. This is not desirable when heated interations between nuclear powers are trying to be avoided.

    Eric

  42. Guest says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 12:47 am

    Let me remind you of something. The use of chemical weapons is illegal. Not only is it immoral but it puts a risk to the ones using it. A ban Syria promised to obey as a member of the U.N, and they did it anyway. What was the U.N going to do? Write a letter saying they were disappointed? What could the citizens do? Syria broke a treaty of trust with the rest of the world and they needed to be punished, no excuses! It wasn’t the smart thing to do, but it was the right thing to do. I voted for trump because I wanted the Middle East to finally have order, to be safe for everyone not just Muslim men. The U.N and the leftists ignore the evil that goes on there. And we can scream and rant and say how much we hate them on this site until we are blue in the face, but face the facts. The only way to put an end to Jihad and Radical Islam, is to destroy the governments that breed them. ISIS may be cheering now, but they are next on the chopping block. If Trump hadn’t done it. I would have become president and done it myself.

    • Michael says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 1:07 am

      Guest, I second your motion. Very well said.

    • Angemon says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 7:20 am

      “The only way to put an end to Jihad and Radical Islam, is to destroy the governments that breed them.”

      The best time to do that was 30-40 years ago. The next best time is now.

  43. Dominic says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 3:54 am

    Fynn lied he resigned. Trump lied and he needs to resign.

    The scenario is ISIS will plant Sarin Gas in stashes throughout Syria, and when Trump Missiles come in, detonates and release the toxins that kill everyone. Who is to blame? The same with N. Korea. Trump Cruise Missiles Kim and it hits the Nuke Stockpile and a mushroom cloud engulfs the entire Korea’s leaving thousands of years of radiation contamination also into Russia, China, and Japan. No more Agriculture, no food, water, milk, meat, fish. Everyone will starve to death, or put huge pressure on the International bodies. Trump is a fool, and idiot.

  44. vcragain says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 7:47 am

    Trump will do whatever he thinks he needs to do at any particular moment in time TO PROMOTE HIMSELF – that is what motivates him & nothing else. He is getting scared now that ‘things will come out’ about what he has been doing that makes Putin so supportive – he knows he has a problem, and this latest ‘prank’ is just about diverting attention from those darned investigations. Putin has him ‘by the ba–s’ & he looks really foolish trying to create diversions. This fake ‘attack’ has left a working airfield which is now in use again, and it is obvious the whole thing was intended to keep the US public’s attention away from ‘why is Russia so happy with Trump?’. Trump getting all ‘soft’ over ‘those poor babies’ makes me want to puke – since when did this guy EVER care about anyone but one family alone ? Nothing Trump does will stop the investigations going on – and now we know they have been investigating him since early in 2016 – Trump has basically committed treason. Truth will out !

  45. Theo Prinse says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 9:14 am

    I live in the Netherlands and support Geert Wilders. From a European point of view it was good that Trump Tillerson Haley attacked Assad. Assad has no control over his civil war that attract European jihadi’s who in return attack Europe. Trump should arm the Kurds who fight Isis and the US should create a no-fly zone and force Erdogan who supports IS out of Syria. The US then must create a safe haven in north Syria to protect syrian refugees. Russia only operates in Syria to protect the Russian anchor point in the mediteranean while Iran uses Assad to arm Hezbollah against Israel. In this European respect it doesnt matter who is behind the chemical gas attack. Assad is no longer in control and the Syrian jihadi’s train in Syria to attack Europe.

    • Skeeter says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 11:52 am

      Good post; additionally, it is Putin/Assad that are creating the refugees for the most part. That is arguable but plenty of sources say so. So, again, Spencer/Geller stick up for the refugee makers.

  46. Skeeter says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 11:49 am

    Well done Trump.

    What’s next with Spencer and Geller, being against the 12 times, Israel has bombed targets in Syria over the past 2 years? Are they for the Syrian conduit of missiles from Iran that are launched willy-nilly into Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah? Or is this now different?

  47. moeped says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    Patience my friends, Trump is playing the long game, just as our enemies are. Zero chance Assad did this and Trump knows it. His bombing does several things:
    1. Appeases his Republican and Democrat enemies
    2. Sends a message to Russia to work with us
    3. Sends a message to all other enemies.
    4. Sends a message to the world that the US has the moral high ground.

    I predict that there will be no follow up strikes on “Assad”. He will quietly disappear as a new puppet is installed. All terrorist groups will continue to be attacked.

    Have faith in Trump and his Generals. They know exactly what they’re doing.

  48. Jean Terry says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    I disagree with this. I truly don’t believe that Mr. Trump is doing things based on political or sneaky connections. He is trying to make things work and has the gumption to make changes at all levels. Unlike Mr. Obama whose main advisor, Valerie Jarrett, never left his side. Who listened to no one. Mr. Trump listens to his advisors and cabinet and I for one totally support him.

    • Michael says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 3:32 pm

      I agree with you, Jean Terry. let this play out. I would rather have a President who does something in face of evil, than arm it, weaponize it, fund it, ignore it, and call it by something other than what it is, which is evil. Trump is a businessman, not a politician. He will try things — if anyone has owned their own business, you try things. lots of them. it’s the only way to grow, to discover new ways of doing things. Given the arsenal that the US has, this is a tiny little blip, basically. I’m curious to see how this goes.

      Perhaps Trump is dancing to someone else’s tune, and there is a puppet master for him — there almost always is, if not always, for anyone who gets to this level. But I tend to think he does have some independence, and the interests of America, and freedom, at heart. I surely hope so.

  49. peter says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    While I am not privy to any of the intelligence information to which Trump had access to ,I believe the master mind and controller of operations is Iran .Assad is only a puppet in the hands of Iranians and Russians .We do not know what Aytollah Khomeni has plans for including the use of nerve gas once the war in Syria is ended. He will not hesitate to use it against Israel which is a sworn enemy of all muslims. A Iran which is armed with nuclear weapons and nerve gas is like having a monster on steroids. WE always have to bear in mind the security and safety of Israel in any middle east dealings as after all that is the only democracy in that part of the world .If we loose Israel ,we loose the game! God bless America and God bless Israel.

  50. UNCLE VLADDI says

    Apr 8, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    What a crockocrap!

    They say the Russians strafed a rebel (ISIS) gas-factory warehouse.

    Assad is WINNING against ISIS – so there’s no need for him to have gassed anybody, risking his own people not to mention turning world opinion against himself!

    Remember: the very same “intelligence officers” who told Trump that Assad did it, are the ones appointed by Obama who are out to get and frame Trump himself for nonsensical “crimes” – like for his working for Russia!

    So: Trump either took a cheap shot at Assad to show he’d stand up to Russia BECAUSE he was hosting the Chinese delegation at Mar a Lago at the time (hinting that they’d best reign-in North Korea) or it was DUMB.

    Even more ominously, now that Steve Bannon seems on his way out, is Jared Kushner’s weaseling his way in:

    From CreepingSharia and BuzzFeed:

    https://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2017/04/05/trump-son-in-law-secretly-met-muslims/

    On a January day just before inauguration, a handful of Muslim activists and businessmen gathered in New York for a confidential meeting with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and close adviser of President Donald Trump.

    Though the transition team was based in Trump Tower, this meeting took place off site, away from the cameras. The goal was a candid talk about what kind of relationship the new administration might forge with American Muslims

    The Muslims in the room included a prominent imam, a civil rights attorney, the director of a nonprofit that studies violent extremism, and two venture capitalists — one of whom is a partner at Thrive Capital, the firm run by Kushner’s brother, Joshua.

    Kushner set a friendly tone, soliciting ideas for how to improve Trump’s relations with Muslims, urging them to think big and boldly. He assured them that American Muslims weren’t going to be in the crosshairs: The threat was overseas, he said, with “the cancer” of radical Islam. Then Kushner surprised the delegates by asking them to recommend candidates for jobs in the administration, including the White House liaison to Muslim communities, a post many had assumed would be scrapped.

    “Trump’s Son-In-Law Secretly Met With Muslim Leaders, Solicited Muslims for Admin Jobs”

    • Wellington says

      Apr 8, 2017 at 8:10 pm

      Assad is winning against ISIS? Really?

      Well, if this is what winning constitutes then it is a damn watered-down version of “winning.”

      Besides, Assad, winning or not, is a stooge of the Iranians and Russians. So how is this helpful to America, to the West?

      Understand, I think there are NO good guys in this Syrian conflict, Assad and his henchmen included, but to laud Assad in any way ain’t my way. And, btw, I don’t think he is winning. Just for the record and all that.

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