The military strike, earlier today, on what were reportedly Syria's chemical weapon stores, is now a matter of history. It has happened.
I was not in favour of any military intervention there because I knew that the West was being manipulated by Deep State forces, and this could have played right into their hands and triggered their wanted World War 3.
In reality, this was always a 'Kobayashi Maru' kind of situation (as per the second original Star Trek movie, "The Wrath of Khan") – namely, a no-win scenario. Do, or not do, there was never going to be an actual solution: it was more a test of character, and about trying to find the least bad option and subsequent fallout.
So, now that the strike has been implemented, what are the positives that we can take from where we are today?
First, on the assumption that the intelligence regarding the target site(s) was good, we in the west (several countries, including Britain) have reduced the capacity for chemical weapon usage in Syria – although they could bring in such materials from elsewhere, I suppose, but at huge risk as of course all movements are being very closely monitored.
It isn't worth the risk of attempting that, not only because of the high risk of loss of those materials as well, but also because the game would be up and the whole world would know what was going on. That could not be undone, and loses a strategic and propaganda advantage that could be vital in the near future.
The action has also 'sent a message' – and expression I see over-used but on this occasion it is justified – so that everyone knows that chemical weapons are 'off limits' and that will be backed up by the most powerful military forces on the planet. In case anyone had forgotten what those forces are capable of doing, this action was also a reminder of that.
Under the circumstances, there is not a lot that the Assad regime or its Russian friends can say or do. There is certainly no justification for any kind of escalation, though the Russians will feel obliged to make at least a token response – one that say "we could easily do much more than this, today is just a taster. Don't push it!"
They could try to claim that what was targeted was 'medical supplies' – but both sides are fully aware of just how easy that would be to discredit upon examination; and there really isn't any justifiable reason to oppose an independent investigation of the affected sites, if they don't wish to be ridiculed and dismissed for making empty, unverified claims.
In the end, I still wish we hadn't done this – but now that we are here, we need to realise that it need go no further than a little bit of face-saving for the Russians after what they have already stated.
