4 Risks After Bombing Assad’s Air Base

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4 Risks After Bombing Assad’s Air Base
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By Ryan Mauro Friday, April 7, 2017

The U.S. acted quickly and decisively in response to a chemical attack by the Syrian Air Force on a rebel-held town in Idlib Province, enforcing the previously-unenforced “red line” by bombing the air base used. But any military action risks unintended consequences.

The evidence proving that the Assad regime was responsible was strong enough to convince President Trump to take action. His skepticism of the intelligence community is well-known, as is his intense aversion to military intervention in other country’s affairs. Trump’s turnaround was particularly surprising given his opposition to overthrowing Assad and his secretary of state’s comment that the U.S. would not seek his removal from power.

The strike using cruise missiles was decisive but humane, minimal and handled carefully. Russia was warned beforehand so that its personnel would not be harmed. The administration even said it took measures to minimize harm to the Assad regime’s personnel. The objective was to destroy a base and deter Assad’s forces from using chemical weapons again, not to kill people—even those who committed the chemical attack.

The mission was a success, though only time will tell if the objective of the strike was achieved. Here are four risks going forward:

Continued: https://clarionproject.org/4-risks-after-bombing-assads-air-base/