Rumors of War

Trump warning: 'Get ready' for U.S. missile strike on Syria - UPI.com
UPI reports: "After a Russian diplomat warned that any U.S. missiles fired at Syria will be shot down and their launch sites targeted, President Donald Trump fired back Wednesday -- telling Russia to 'get ready.' 'Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!', Trump said in a tweet. 'You shouldn't be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!' [...] Trump had said Monday a response to the Syria attack would come within days."

Comment: I find it extraordinary that this is the same Trump who said on the campaign trail that he would never telegraph his military moves the way Obama did.  On the one hand, this is good because it minimizes the danger that an American missile strike could kill Russian soldiers. Avoiding WWIII is always a good move. On the other hand, it sets up the possibility that Trump is contemplating a missile strike like the one last April that proved to be a good PR stunt but did nothing to deter Assad from further use of chemical weapons. I suppose it will depend on what Trump wants to do, a gesture or meaningful damage to Syrian military infrastructure. There are also other press reports that suggest coordination with allies like the UK and France is going on behind the scenes, so perhaps a broader international military effort may soon be underway.