Deconflicting With the Russians, Not So His Critics

The April 7th Syrian attack on their own people (Xinhua)

Our reality-show President--and I mean that in the nicest way--had to show that he was different from his predecessor. After repeated warnings to the Syrians against the use of chemical weapons, the U.S. was boxed in a corner. It had to respond to the April 7th attack that killed 40-70 non-combatants (let's discount the argument that it was a false flag operation, i.e., the Syrian government didn't do it, which both Russia and Syria claim).

The response had to be meaningful "without triggering a broader conflict with Russia and Iran." [bold added]

For the U.S. and its allies, the solution was to strike three targets, including a scientific research center in Damascus and a weapons-storage site west of Homs where no Russians were believed to be present...

The U.S. didn’t notify the Russians about the targets, but it reduced the risk of a clash with the Russian air force by letting their commanders know what airspace American and allied forces would be using—a process the Pentagon dubs “deconfliction."

The effort to avoid a clash with Russian forces appeared to succeed. The Pentagon said it didn’t detect the firing of any Russian surface-to-air missiles, though Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries were fired.

Still, the limited nature of the military intervention is likely to yield only limited gains, experts said.

Mr. Trump has many in Washington believing that he is crazy because of his hyperbolic tweets, criticism of his own staff, personnel turnover, and reaction to seemingly trivial events and statements.

Yet he backs off from crossing bright red lines, for example, when a Federal judge stays an Executive order Mr. Trump abides the stay while at the same time issuing fierce, often personal, criticism of the judge (Andrew Jackson famously defied Supreme Court rulings, an action Mr. Trump has not yet emulated).

Not attacking the Russians is another red line he didn't cross.

Note that after the joint operation with the U.K. and France the President composed a tweet meant to drive his critics into a frenzy.

A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018