President Trump has now changed his opinion on the current Syrian crisis, showing us all that he cares. Trump has now changed his mind on the most urgent and controversial foreign policy issue in the world. Trump claims that, “that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on me – big impact.” In referral to the use of chemical weapons in Idlib province.
Trump has always been supportive on destroying Isis, and supportive of Vladimir Putin. Trump’s attitude towards Putin is that he is a ‘very smart’ leader who is willing to use real power to defeat jihadist Islam. However, the new images being shown on the TV and internet of the recent gas attack in Syria, have had an impact. Trump claims that, “My attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much… You’re now talking about a whole different level.” As well as Vice-President Mike Pence is now stating that “all options are on the table.”
Nevertheless, the Syrian civil war has been going on for merely six years, and there is a 2016 report that records 161 chemical attacks. This attack was one of the worst chemical bombings in Syria. Dozens died, including children. The poison possibly contained a nerve agent or other banned chemicals, and was spread after warplanes dropped bombs early this morning. Some humanitarian groups said as many as 100 have died. Assad has denied that his military has been responsible, as he has done for every chemical bombing used in Syria. The government of Assad has however renounced chemical weapons nearly four years ago.
The timing of Trump’s words seems too ironic as news breaks of the demotion of Steve Bannon, the “great manipulator” and rumoured most powerful person in the White House. Bannon was demoted from the National Security Council on Wednesday. Perhaps Trump’s sudden shift on Syria is almost approval-seeking, and perfect media coverage. Trump lacks specificity within his presidency, and seems determined to show how muscular his office is over Obama’s.
Now that the controversy of using force, and the criteria of that, comes into play Trump is only going to face even more challenges in office. The Trump administration is now hinting that the US might build a plan that involves military action. This is after the administration claimed that ousting Assad wasn’t a priority. He previously vowed a message to Iran that backed pro-Assad militias in Syria, but now he may possibly consider military action in Syria. IF that happens, he will face the same reality that Obama did. Trump rationalized that his ‘plan’ is not going to be revealed, as he does not believe in sharing what his military plans are.
Trump’s words about the Syrian crisis are very important, because both the allies and enemies are paying attention and watching the same screen. Trump now has potential to finally acknowledge the how threatening Assad’s continued grip of power really is. If he chooses to dismiss Syria’s opposition and ease up on the regime, the United States and their President will both be contributing to this growth of violent extremism. Not just in Syria.
