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Trump policy changes, in Syria and elsewhere

Reader comment on item: No to Bombing Syria

Submitted by Michael S, Apr 7, 2017 at 22:25

Hello, Daniel

Thank you for posting an analysis of the unfolding situation in Syria.

Donald Trump has certainly been making some sharp turns lately, even some apparent about-faces. Some have suggested that Ivanka was a strong influence in his deciding to attack the airbase. Considering the lack of credibility of the press, I cannot hang much on that speculation. I will consider it, though; because I believe Trump has been STRONGLY influenced by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, largely through Ivanka.

Kushner, meanwhile, strikes me as a Machiavellian opportunist, and an excellent candidate to become the "Antichrist" or "Beast" in 2021. You heard me right -- 2021. Kushner will be 40 years and 10 days old on inauguration day, making him the youngest President ever elected. Trump will be 74 years old; and if elected, would be the oldest President ever elected. I am 69, and have serious health issues, issues which appeared suddenly. There is a good chance that Donald Trump, laboring under the tremendous strain of being the leader of the world, will decide not to run for re-election. It would not be out of character, for him to endorse a candidacy by either Kushner or Ivanka.

That is speculation. What we know for sure, is that in the Kushner vs. Bannon struggle for influence, Kushner (having Ivanka as his trump card) has been coming out on top. Bannon has been cut out of the NSC, and his ally Rense Priebus (whose aide, Katie Walsh, was recently booted out of the White House) is rumored to be on his way out. I did not follow the chatter surrounding Mike Flynn's ouster; but I would be naive to rule out Kushner's hand in it.

You were talking about Syria, and I went and dragged us through the slimepit of Washington, DC. Let's get back to the missile strike: There are some tactical plusses to it:

1. Trump had dinner with Chinese President Xi, immediately following the attack. One item on the diplomatic plate, is what to do about Kim Jong Un. Xi is likely wondering whether or not Trump will follow through on reputed threats to unilaterally strike at Kim. Obama would certainly have backed down; but the recent missile strike says Trump will not. That is a tremendous bargain chip for him.

2. Trump's domestic enemies have unceasingly been accusing him of being a virtual or actual agent of Vladimir Putin. The missile attack, which visibly infuriated Putin, puts paid to such insinuations.

3. The Turks certainly seem jubilant, that Trump has taken their side in the fight against Assad.

On the down side, this attack may have fatally affected our effort to defeat ISIS; and in the long run, this will hurt Trump. I also foresee a real mess happening in Syria; but that seems to be in the cards, no matter what the POTUS does. I guess on that point, I tend to disagree with you: the missile attack will have little net effect in Syria; and the war will, in any case, continue.

Concerning the moral issues about who is killing whom more, etc., I am as unimpressed as you are.

Dinner's on the table. I have to wrap this up.

God bless and keep you and yours.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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Reader comments (48) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Trump correct to spank Assad for gas attack [72 words]Verner HornungApr 16, 2017 12:30238545
Not so sure, Mr.Pipes [191 words]SoloviewApr 12, 2017 13:38238456
ISIS' victims are generally anti-Israel countries [288 words]Michael SApr 15, 2017 01:12238456
Mixed Messaging of Confronting/Not Confronting National Security Issues [567 words]M ToveyApr 10, 2017 19:25238395
The world's policeman; Major Maintenance of world systems; The coming Pharaoh? [1051 words]Michael SApr 12, 2017 02:47238395
Courting Principalites and Strongholds - Which Will Fail First [246 words]M ToveyApr 17, 2017 18:50238395
No to Bombing Syria [43 words]Angel Oteros GonzálezApr 10, 2017 17:06238392
1Translation: Neither Assad nor Putin have scruples [110 words]Michael SApr 12, 2017 09:56238392
Who's Right... [69 words]Daren OlsinApr 9, 2017 22:33238371
I agree, but... [91 words]Kepha HorApr 9, 2017 21:41238370
Trump's ignorant actions [173 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Jason PappasApr 9, 2017 08:32238345
There may be something positive though [244 words]JeffApr 8, 2017 14:59238316
2Brilliantly Overthought [113 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Reality CheckApr 8, 2017 13:22238315
War is hell; peace is sometimes worse [368 words]Michael SApr 10, 2017 11:04238315
Minorities in Syria and Bashar al-Assad [149 words]dhimmi no moreApr 8, 2017 09:56238308
contradictory messages from MEF [19 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
henry m BoudinApr 7, 2017 22:49238305
is Pipes changing his vews ? [29 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
henry boudinApr 9, 2017 16:09238305
Trump policy changes, in Syria and elsewhere [542 words]Michael SApr 7, 2017 22:25238304
Michael S's analysis of Trump's decision to attack Syria. [100 words]PrashantApr 8, 2017 23:01238304
The Sheriff of the World [311 words]Michael SApr 9, 2017 05:33238304
What next, will Britain and France bomb America next time an untypically large number of civilians is killed in a nato attack? [70 words]AnonApr 7, 2017 21:36238302
Eisenhower, Bush, Trump ... more ignorant policy [168 words]Jason PappasApr 9, 2017 08:31238302
Agree [92 words]Jack LehrApr 7, 2017 18:56238296
Why not wipe out the entire Syrian Air Force? [104 words]SandraApr 7, 2017 16:01238289
Better diplomacy could have been employed in this missile strike [112 words]Solomon2Apr 7, 2017 15:49238288
2That's an immoral and unwise position [34 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
DanApr 7, 2017 15:00238287
Just a Little Reminded [60 words]RebeccaApr 7, 2017 14:25238286
not viewing this holistically. [27 words]Harvey L. PoppelApr 7, 2017 13:16238285
Today's Blog [59 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Ari SigalApr 7, 2017 12:37238284
1"No" to bombing Syria? [118 words]dianne gallenApr 7, 2017 11:48238283
Missle response [150 words]Elizabeth ReissApr 7, 2017 09:48238282
To withhold is a virtue [65 words]KesselmanApr 7, 2017 09:09238281
a message to the public and Putin rather than Assad [237 words]mythApr 7, 2017 08:45238280
Syria. The Evil that will wax worse and worse. [604 words]Anne-USAApr 7, 2017 08:38238279
1Right [80 words]Peter NiedermannApr 7, 2017 07:05238278
1Yes To Bombing Syria [83 words]DaveApr 7, 2017 06:50238273
It doesn't have to be either-or [33 words]Dina GrossmanApr 7, 2017 05:05238272
I generally support this, but what's your thoughts on action against chemical weapons [15 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
JazzalohaApr 7, 2017 03:01238270
This limited strike sends a powerful message to all as to who is now in charge [16 words]BorisApr 14, 2017 13:00238270
This limited strike sends a powerful message to all as to who is now in charge [16 words]BorisApr 14, 2017 19:52238270
Syria Tomahawks [192 words]Geoffrey LuckApr 7, 2017 01:50238269
2Not to bombing Syria [184 words]Admiral Peter KikareasApr 7, 2017 00:29238259
Beg to Differ [226 words]lenApr 7, 2017 00:28238258
2NO, Dr. Pipes, we shouldn't arm ISIS! [89 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
UNCLE VLADDIApr 7, 2017 00:17238256
1Confusion: Aod Hitler vs. Stalin?! [230 words]DajjalApr 9, 2017 21:18238256
An Opinion [115 words]Andreas GeovanosApr 7, 2017 00:05238252
No to heavy involvement but there are limits. [53 words]EdApr 7, 2017 00:02238251
Trump is not involving the country in a new conflict. [14 words]stevenlApr 6, 2017 23:44238249

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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