Unable to get the Syria battle plans from President Donald Trump, the media doesn’t like the same ambiguity that’s left Syria, Russian and Iranian officials sweating over the president’s next move. Telegraphing April 11, that Russian and Syria should get ready for U.S. missiles, Trump found the media calling him a hypocrite for telegraphing his plans. Trump’s said in the past he doesn’t tip his hand about what he plans to do in the way of military action. When Syria hit Eastern Ghouta with Sarin nerve gas Aug. 21, 2013, killing 261, injuring 1,729, former President Barack Obama did nothing, receiving little criticism from the American press. Only Obama’s opponents complained that his inaction would come back to bite the U.S. at some future point. Obama violated his Aug. 23, 2012 “red line,” warning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop using chemical weapons.
When Syrian President Bashar al-Assad struck Khan Shaykhoun April 4, 2017 with chemical weapons, killing at least 74, wounding 300, Trump responded April 7, 2017 shooting 59 Tomahawk Cruise missiles at Syria’s Shayrat airbase, prompting condemnation from Damascus and Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Trump against any further attacks, suggesting it would be repelled by Russian anti-missile defenses. Now the press has nothing but criticism for Trump announcing his intent to respond to the April 7 Sarin-laced chlorine barrel bomb attack on the rebel stronghold in the Damascus suburb of Douma, killing 42 men, women and children. Al-Assad and Putin knew that if they violated the 1993 Chemical Weapons ban again, the U.S. response would not be last-year’s slap on the wrist. Now the press criticizes Trump for telegraphing his plans.
When you consider Trump put Russia on notice to get out of harm’s way, that’s certainly not telegraphing a timetable for any attack. It’s a courtesy to other combatants to know that if an attack comes, it’s advisable to get out of the way. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said today it was relocating nine destroyers and support ships from Russia’s Tartus naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. “We are still assessing the intelligence, ourselves and our allies,” said Defense Secretary James Mattis, remaining noncommittal about any attack on Syria. “We’re still working on this,” raising more ambiguity in the press and to foreign governments. Letting Syria and Russia sweat was Trump’s plan, not to say when or if an attack was forthcoming. “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria,” Trump tweeted Wednesday, responding to Putin’s warning.
Accused by the press and Democrats of cozying up to Russia, Trump’s talk of missile strikes runs counter to the news narrative. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and smart! You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it,” Trump tweeted, showing a willingness to confront Russia over its backing of al-Assad. If Trump were really in bed with Russia, he wouldn’t be planning missile strikes for Syria’s recent chemical attack. When Mattis said he’s still “working on it,” he’s referring to having categorical proof that al-Assad’s regime dropped the Sarin-laced chlorine barrel bomb on the Douma civilian neighborhood. Syrian and Russian forces have been trying to root out Saudi-backed anti-al-Assad rebels from Syria’s sovereign territory. When the chemical attack is confirmed, Trump looks poised to hit Damascus hard.
Russia’s warnings of dire consequences should the U.S. attack Syria has not deterred Trump one bit from responding, when verified, to al-Assad’s latest chemical weapons attack. Vacillating between Trump telegraphing his plans to Syria and his ambiguous statements about Mueller, the media’s in frenzy, not knowing what to report next. It’s been pounding, as it has for months, the idea that Trump was going to fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Many Republicans believe Mueller has gone so far out of his lane, he deserves to be fired. Trump’s been vocal about criticizing Mueller for what he sees as a witch hunt because his investigation focuses more on Stormy Daniels or the “Access Hollywood” tape. However Trump criticized Mueller, he’s never said he’d fire him only that he believes under Article II of the U.S. Constitution he has the power to fire anyone in the Executive Branch.
Not knowing what to expect, the media bounces from “what happens” scenarios to wanting to know what’s happening in Syria. Playing his cards close to the vest, Trump’s proved he’s a good poker player, flashing only the cards he believes benefits his position. Giving Russia a heads up in no way tells Syria if and when an attack is inevitable. Given what’s already known about al-Assad’s frequent use of chemical weapons, all fingers point to Damascus. Russian officials can’t get their story straight on what happened April 7 in Douma. One the one hand, Russia says no chemical residue was found. On the other hand, Russian admits the chemical attack was staged, perhaps by Saudi-backed Syrian rebels. Moscow can’t have it both ways: Either a chemical attack happened or it didn’t. When the Pentagon finishes its fact-finding, al-Assad’s going to face the consequences.
