Trump does what Obama would not

Published 9:27 pm Saturday, April 8, 2017

The world learned exactly where President Donald Trump’s red line is when it comes to Syria.

On Friday, dozens of U.S. missiles struck a portion of the Shayrat air base in Syria days after a chemical attack killed dozens of Syrian men, women and children. Trump did what Obama would not.

Chemical attacks will not be tolerated, was the message from Trump. Though the president often campaigned as an isolationist, he has come to realize that the United States’ role in the world does not always square with his “America first” campaign rally.

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What remains to be seen is whether the attack was a one-off, emotionally driven decision or whether Trump has a plan in place for how we deal with Syria in the long-term.

The administration vowed Friday to keep pressure on Syria. It signaled that new sanctions would soon follow the missile attack, and the Pentagon was probing whether Russia was involved in the chemical weapons assault that compelled Trump to action, The Associated Press reported.

What happens if the Syrian government continues to use chemical weapons on its own people? Will Trump order more missile strikes?

What if Syria holds off on more chemical attacks, but continues to murder its people with traditional bombs?

Trump was obviously moved by the images of dying Syrian children following the chemical attack. Will those same images move him to change his mind on Syrian refugees?

What happens next is anyone’s guess, but let’s hope Trump’s decisions regarding Syria are rooted in sound, compassionate foreign policy.