In response to Syria’s chemical attacks on its civilians, on Friday night the U.S. responded with guided missile strikes against Syrian chemical weapon facilities.
The recent chemical attack killed 40 people, including women and children. A year ago, another chemical weapon attack occurred. The U.S. responded by firing 59 Tomahawk into Syria.
These guided missile strikes are a consolidated effort with the U.K. and France to deter against the spread of chemical weapons.
In his address to the American people, President Trump specifically called out Iran and Russia for backing Bashar Al Assad and his dictatorial regime.
“To Iran and to Russia, I ask: What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women and children? Hopefully someday we will get along with Russia, and maybe even Iran. But maybe not.” -President Trump
This is the closest we have come to World War III in a very long time. What is even more troubling is that Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have pledged their support in President Trump’s decision to strike Syria.
Russia had warned the U.S. that there would be consequences if they were to go through with their proposed air strike. Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov released a statement that these most recent airstrikes will not be ignored by Russia.
“We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences, all responsibility for them rests with Washington, London and Paris.” Anatoly Antonov
Tensions are as high as they have ever been on a global scale. In the past ,warnings of another World War were mostly unsubstantiated and conspiratorial. Syria, has become a proxy war involving major global powers. In the U.S. leaders in the House and Senate are already pledging their support for the airstrike. This could mean that they will rally their bases to go to war. The immediate actions taken by both sides will dictate what happens next. Perhaps this most recent airstrike is the powder keg event that sets off World War III.
