The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

U.S. Strikes Syria

Posted on | April 13, 2018 | Comments Off on U.S. Strikes Syria

Mess with the bull, you get the horns:

President Donald Trump announced Friday night that he ordered the U.S. military to conduct precision missile strikes in conjunction with French and British allies against the Syrian government.
The order marked a dramatic reversal for Trump, who, as recently as last week, had been saying that he wanted the U.S. to withdraw its forces from Syria.
During Friday’s speech, Trump noted that the strike was underway and did not give further details of the targets or the military assets used.
Trump used the address to also directly call out Russia and Iran, which back the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“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?” Trump said. “Hopefully someday we will get along with Russia, and maybe even Iran. But maybe not.”
Reuters and the Associated Press reported that several explosions have already occurred in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Reuters, citing sources, added that a scientific research facility was hit.
“This is not about intervening in a civil war. It is not about regime change. It is about a limited and targeted strike that does not further escalate tensions in the region and that does everything possible to prevent civilian casualties,” British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a statement.
“And while this action is specifically about deterring the Syrian Regime, it will also send a clear signal to anyone else who believes they can use chemical weapons with impunity,” May added.

I spent all day working on an article about something else, took a break and went to dinner with my brother and, on the way back, he got a text message from a friend: “It’s raining cruise missiles in Syria.” Everything else becomes trivial when war happens. The question of what Russia and Iran will do — is this Armageddon, or not? — looms large, and you know I’ve got a son on the point of the spear, if worse comes to worse.

Friday the 13th — an inauspicious day to start World War III.

UPDATE: A bit from CNN:

Details are usually sketchy when military action is underway and “live” news reports are often wrong. Let’s be patient and wait for facts.

UPDATE II: Trump asks for prayers:

My mother-in-law is a praying woman, and prays for him every night.

UPDATE III: “Mad Dog” Mattis just ended a briefing:

So, this attack was “precise,” targeting Syria’s chemical weapons capacities, and now we’ll wait and see what the reaction is.

UPDATE IV: A bit more from Mattis:

Ed Morrissey at Hot Air has a good round-up of the news.

 

Category: Military, Syria

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