U.S. and Allies Bomb Syria; Trump Calls Out Russia and Iran for Supporting “Murderous” Dictator
In 2013, the Syrian government crossed then-President Barack Obama’s “red line.” How? By using chemical weapons against its own people.
Obama appeared ready to order a missile launch. But he hesitated. Then he allowed advisers to talk him out of it.
Instead, he chose “diplomacy.” Three years later, he said that move required “political courage.” He claimed it was the right decision. Because it led to the removal of chemical weapons from the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Well, in April of 2017 and April of 2018, chemical weapons were once again used against Assad’s own people. So much for getting rid of the weapons.
War of Words… Then Attack
Following the most recent attack, President Donald Trump said he would punish the Syrian government for its “barbaric” act.
The Russian ambassador to Lebanon then warned the U.S. and its allies that any missiles fired at Syria would be shot down. Trump responded by warning Russia not to get involved.
His Twitter post promised that missiles fired at Syria “will be coming, nice and new and smart.”
He added that the Kremlin should not partner with a “Gas Killing Animal who kills his own people and enjoys it!”
U.S.-Led Assault Targets Chemical Weapons Program
Trump, who responded with missiles in 2017, did the same thing Friday night. But with 105 missiles, this strike was reportedly twice the size of last year’s assault.
Flying out of Qatar, U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers were used in the bombing campaign. According to Marine Corps General Joe Dunford, “important infrastructure was destroyed.”
He added that sites associated with the Syrian chemical weapons program were both “targeted and destroyed.”
Trump called it “a combined operation with the armed forces of France and the United Kingdom.”
“Obviously, the Assad regime did not get the message last year,” said Defense Secretary James Mattis.
‘Judged by the Friends They Keep’
Following the strike, Trump addressed the nation. After telling Americans what the U.S. and its allies did, he called out Russia and Iran.
He referred to them as the “two governments most responsible for supporting, equipping and financing the Assad regime.”
“To Iran and to Russia, I ask, ‘What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children?’
“The nations of the world can be judged by the friends they keep. No nation can succeed in the long run by promoting rogue states, brutal tyrants and murderous dictators.”
Russia Threatens ‘Consequences’
Russia did not take kindly to the attack or to Trump’s comments.
The Russian ambassador to the U.S. warned there would be consequences for the strikes on Syria. He added it was not acceptable to insult Russia’s president (Vladimir Putin).
“A pre-designed scenario is being implemented,” the ambassador tweeted. “Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.”
Putin called it an “act of aggression against a sovereign state.”
Russia Says Chemical Attack Was ‘Staged’
Last week, Russia’s foreign minister said his country’s experts found no trace of chemical weapons. That was after they inspected the site near Damascus.
He claimed the alleged chemical attack was “staged.” Thanks to the help of a foreign intelligence agency.
“Intelligence agencies of a state that is now striving to spearhead a Russophobic campaign were involved with the fabrication,” the foreign minister said.
France Claims Proof of Chemical Weapons Use
But the French government announced it had proof the Syrian regime was responsible for the recent chemical attack. It reportedly killed approximately 50 people and injured hundreds.
NBC-TV reported that blood and urine samples from victims had traces of a nerve agent and chlorine. The report indicated that the Assad government was responsible.
The World Health Organization also chimed in. They said there were reports of about 500 people in Douma with symptoms similar to people exposed to toxic chemicals.
The organization added that 70 people had died while taking shelter in basements. And 43 of them had signs of exposure to highly toxic chemicals.
U.S.-Russia Relations ‘Worse’ Than Ever
Mattis said no follow-up attacks were planned. But Trump said the U.S. is prepared to “sustain” pressure on Assad. At least until he ends his criminal pattern of killing people with internationally banned chemical weapons.
Even before the U.S. military response Friday night, relations between the U.S. and Russia were not good.
“Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War,” the president tweeted last week.
“There is no reason for this,” he continued. “Russia needs us to help with their economy, something that would be very easy to do. And we all need nations to work together.”
It Looked Promising at First
Shortly after Trump’s election, Putin addressed the Russian parliament. He said, “We are prepared to cooperate with the new American administration.”
He added, “Mutual efforts by Russia and the United States in solving global and regional problems are in the interest of the entire world.”
A week after Trump took office, he spoke for nearly an hour by phone with Putin. Both governments called the conversation a step toward improvement of relations.
What Do You Think?
I’d like to know what you think about this situation.
Did Obama make the right decision in 2013 by trying to persuade Syria to get rid of its chemical weapons?
Or did Trump make the right decisions by bombing Syria in 2017 and last week. In order to make it as difficult as possible for Assad to use chemical weapons again?
Or, should Obama or Trump have taken a different course of action?
Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
So the Israelis lost 5 out of the 8 missiles. Believe me that will be a fairly severe punishment. The murderous bullies have always believed that their military capability was unstoppable by riff raff” like Syria that Israel was master of the universe. That they were untouchable and invincible. They have had a huge blow Lost a fighter so they dare not enter Syria by looks of things and now only 3 missiles got through and didn”t do a lot. Its actually a humiliation and all credit to the Syrian teams who downed the other 5. Good for you lads. Good tally you saved a lot of people and stuck the Israelis right where it hurts their credibility, military might and even and their defenses which can be questioned. buy viagra
YOU ARE SO RIGHT! TRUMP SHOULD LISTEN TO ALTERNATIVE NEWS CHANNELS THAT ARE VERY INFORMED LIKE ROGER STONE, MIKE ADAMS, DAVID STEELE AND OTHERS.
IT’S ALL A POLITICAL PLOY!
MONEY AND POWER ARE AT STAKE!
NETANYAHU IS A WAR HAWK AND THEREFORE DANGEROUS! MAKE PEACE WITH RUSSIA AND
WORK OUT A DEAL WITH SYRIA AND IRAN!
MR. PUTIN HAS NOW BECOME THE MOST ADMIRED PRESIDENT IN THE WORLD FOR DOING HIS HOMEWORK AND TELLING THE WORLD THE TRUTH!
What we should have learned from taking out the leader of Iraq is that we left a hole in the Middle East. We took out the strong man and then other nations such Iran came in and so did ISIS and that upset the middle east. So the area became worse than before.
Whoever used chemical weapons or any dangerous
weapons against innocent men, women and children are acting like terrorists. Thus the Russian
government should not align themselves with such
cruel leaders.
the bombing started before the inspectors got tom the site. It makes no saense for Assad to use poison gas after he has the war all but won.
It does make sense for the insurgents to use it to get the USA to bomb Syria.
The next time the USA has to use missiles they should be aimed at Assad’s palace. Get rid of him and maybe Syria can have some peace.
There is s time when the free world has to act against aggression and help the one suffering becuse of an evil resime.
If we had looked the other way when Hitler was destroying lives, the world would be a victim of slavery under the boot of an evil empire. It’s like two murderers killing a child on the street and the rest of us walking and doing nothing about it! God put something in us that we’ll revolt at hideous crimes against humanity.
Although I’m not a fan of Trump I feel he did what needed to be done, both times in bombing Syria. I was always bothered by Obama’s willingness to turn the other cheek in instances where force was called for rather than some misguided effort at diplomacy.
Obama didn’t strike because Congress wouldn’t let him. Back in February. Mattis said, ” we still don’t know for sure who was responsible for the chemical attack in April, 2017 “. Trump announced last mouth that the US would be pulling out soon. Why would Assad use chemical weapons when he’s virtually already won the war?
Wouldn’t the rebels do anything they could to get us to stay? The rebels may be playing Trump for a fool. If they are. it’s working perfectly.
Connect the dots, the war may not be as cut and dried as it seems.
I am behind the President, At least he is doing something. He is not leading from behind.
Obama – 0
Trump – 1
Trump was correct. But I would follow with another air strike on Assad’s air Force. It does little good to not strike their delivery system and allow them to rebuild. Shades of a Vietnam.
These are proxy wars to keep our economies flurishing. The genocide the illuminate had planned is ending by Trump draining the swamp world wide.
They lided there working with a liar an cant be trusted. Killing there own people in such a cowardly way when diplomacy fails then u have to get there attention by any means necessary an just to those who think obama was an idiot maybe u should take a look in the mirror thats were u can find alot of idiots u need to understand that lives were also taken during the bombing. Were did they get the chemical to make the stuff lets see from some bigass western conglomerate ummmm
Obama was (IS) an IDIOT. Drop bombs on all of them, let GOD sort em out.
What?? Obama is not president Jon. Trumpty is and he is fun to watch LOL
I think our Country has been compromised by Trump. He lies about things that are even obviously not true. I think Putin has betrayed him and the US is at risk.
This seems yet another lesson we can learn from history.
As Winston Churchill remarked about not negotiating with a tiger when your head is in its mouth, President Trump rightly called out and responded along with France and Britain against brutal killings of civilians.
I believe that Obama made a good decision in warning to Syria to end the use of chemical weapons. I think his words were ineffective. When this happens, it requires serious consequences. President Trump was right in his actions. He is right because no country should ever expose it’s citizens to chemical weapons. It is a travesty that met with appropriate action by the U.S. government. I’m sure Trump would do it again. We are not responsible to any other government. Russia needs to behave in a similar manner to this atrocity.
84% of the Syrian people voted for Assad..Do they know more than us?
i am glad Obama is gone. I am with trump. we need the wall. I also support the troops.
GRANDPA BUSH SHOULD NOT HAVE GOT US INTO IRAQ UNDER GUISE OF WMD’S. CLINTON, SONNY BUSH AND OBAMA JUST FOLLED UP WITH WHAT GRNDPA STARTED. NOW TRUMP IS BEING SUCKED IN TO THE GUISE OF WMP…..GET THE HELL OUT….PRONTO
Trump did the right thing. Obama did nothing good for America in 8 yrs.
I think they should take out Assad, and not out to lunch!!!!!! While their at it, launch a few at Kim too!!!!!!!!💩💩💩💩💩