In response to Syria’s chemical weapons attack, Donald Trump ordered the US military to launch 59 missiles at a Syrian base on April 6th. This is the first direct military attack that the US has taken since the election of Syria’s current president, Bashar al-Assad. Early Friday morning the missiles were launched from US warships. By Friday afternoon, Syrian officials reported that at least seven people had already been found dead. It has now been reported that at least 80 people have died. What is most concerning for the United States is the response by Russia. Putin’s office has regarded the strikes as an act of aggression.

Russia and Iran have threatened the US with retaliation if the missile strikes continue. Tillerson, the Secretary of State, spoke on it at a memorial. He claimed the United States will ‘hold to account’ any countries’ acts of aggression. Tillerson is planned to meet with the Russian minister of foreign affairs on April 12th to try to stop Russia’s support of the chemical weapons. He also warned Russia to “break ties with Assad and realign with the West” according to CNBC. Other Trump officials have also been pushing Russia to drop Syria. Trump has vaguely suggested that more military action might be done in the future.

The recent involvement of the U.S. has emphasized the shift in our global politics. Donald Trump, who urged Obama to stay out of relations with Syria four years ago is now doing the exact opposite. The humanitarian crisis that has resulted from six years of civil war is something our global community needs to address, but entering into yet another difficult war is something we Americans should be very wary of.  

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/apr/07/us-syria-response-donald-trump-assad-pentagon-live

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/07/us-airstrikes-on-syria-donald-trump-what-we-know-so-far

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/06/politics/donald-trump-syria-military/

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-why-i-launched-missile-attack-syria-n743656

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/russia-iran-us-america-syria-red-lines-respond-with-force-aggressor-air-strikes-war-latest-a7675031.html

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/10/politics/syria-russia-iran-missile-strikes/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/04/09/what-could-go-wrong-for-the-u-s-

in-syria-war-with-russia/?utm_term=.720a02eb564d

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/11/trump-g7-global-leaders-urge-russia-to-break-ties-syria-assad.html