I don’t fully understand this strike.
On one hand, it was “red line” action that Obama was too scared to do. The intelligence (honest intelligence) does seem to support that this was Assad using barrel bombs from helicopters. However, the administration gave the Russians advanced warning and they even removed their naval assets according to some reports.
So we can be certain that Russia advised Assad, and he moved all his chemicals and assets out of the buildings that were bombed. Israeli intelligence confirms this.
So, basically we spent $100 million worth of missiles to blow up empty buildings.
Yeah, I understand the message of not crossing the red line, but I think Assad and Putin are having a good laugh that the Americans blew off a bunch of expensive fireworks for not much more than show.
Kabuki theater.
Not to mention, putting in harms way $400,000,000 a piece B1-B Lancer bombers, and $2 billion a pop submarines. But it’s all Monopoly money anyways.