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It would seem that the sight of women, children and infants dead and bloated as the result of Assad’s crimes against humanity got to him.
President Donald Trump said a suspected chemical attack by the Assad regime was “a terrible affront to humanity” that changed his mind about the Syrian strongman, signaling a more aggressive U.S. policy toward Syria.
Mr. Trump didn’t elaborate on how his administration would respond to the latest attack, which killed at least 85 people, but said it made him re-evaluate his approach to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime.
“My attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed very much,” he told reporters. Deeper U.S. involvement or a military response could heighten tension with Russia, a regime ally, and complicate the fight against Islamic State that Mr. Trump has prioritized.
Hours after Mr. Trump spoke, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Russia to abandon its support for Mr. Assad. Last week, he and other administration officials indicated the U.S. expected Mr. Assad would remain in power.
Will this pivot by Trump stick? Is Assad no longer the enemy of our enemy and thus a friend? Is Assad a brutal killer engaging in crimes against humanity and thus an enemy of the United States? What is the Trump’s position on Syria? It is hard to say. He seems to base policy on the comments of whomever he spoke to last.
Make no mistake, however, if Assad is using chemical weapons, it is with the acquiescence of Vladimir Putin.