Published: 16 April 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
The great distraction of punitive airstrikes (New Republic)
Don't congratulate the administration on avoiding Russian retaliation. The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains, and the real collision course here is between Israel and Iran
Putin may limit Israel's operations in Syria in retaliation for US-led strikes (Haaretz)
The attack reflects the schism between Trump and his allies that may affect military campaigns down the line
Assad can breathe easily (Ynet)
Fearing a Russian response, Trump, May and Macron circumscribed their strike to chemical weapons research and production facilities. This was overly cautious, as so long as the very survivability of Assad's regime is not at stake, he will not be deterred from further use of such weapons. Israel, meanwhile, has realised it can count only on itself.
Israel fears Trump may see job as done in Syria, leave Israel alone to face Iran (Times of Israel)
Though strongly backing US-led airstrikes, Jerusalem also reportedly worried Putin may now supply Assad with advanced air-defense systems, reducing Israel's air supremacy
Photo: Syrian soldiers inspect the wreckage of a building described as part of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC) north of Damascus on Saturday (AFP/Louai Beshara/AFP)
