Evidence of Chemical Attack in Syria - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Soil samples from Syria chemical attack sent to western agencies..Samples will help intelligence agencies establish whether nerve agent came from store of sarin Assad was supposed to surrender "

Lets Get Real:

The Syrian Regime and Russia will try to make the process outlast the interest of the West in the incident, they understand that the Western population has a short attention span, thus they will argue that the WMD attack was down to the rebels, also they will try to get Trump to understand that Assad could be an ally in the War against Islamic Terrorism.  One can only hope that President Trump does not lose interest, he has given the impression of some action, sanctions do no work, and the Russians will block any resolution at the UN.  Thus the West might be thinking that the US will take military action in Syria. 

Trump and Syria - The Military Question - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump opens the door to military action in Syria after 'horrible, horrible' sarin massacre and warns: 'My attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed'  "

Lets Get Real:

There are two options IF and its a big IF the US wants to take military action in Syria, there is an air attack on the Syrian Air Force, or safe areas guarded by US troops in Syria.  An air attack might be less painful that putting thousands of US troops on the ground in Syria, there are so many factions on the ground it would be hard to see who is an ally and who is a threat.   Also it opens the US to attacks from Al Qaeda and Daesh, also making sure that the US and the Russians do not get in to a fight.   This blog would be shocked if President Trump takes action, so far he has been highly critical of President Obama and has attacked Assad over the attacks, actual troops or an air attack would take it to a new level. 

Trump and Syria - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " President Trump condemned the deadly chemical weapons strike in Syria in his strongest terms yet on Wednesday, saying the attack which he blames on the Assad regime “cannot be tolerated” – just minutes after his U.N. envoy hinted at the possibility of unilateral action. "

Lets Get Real:

The above does rise the question, could Trump take action against Syria, it would set back any relationship with Russia and make any future alliance between US and Syria when it comes to Islamic Terrorism a bit iffy to say the least.   Of course it could all be bluster, the Trump Oval wanting to get ahead of the story without taking any action, it will be interesting to see over the next couple of days if Trump does take action, this blog still has it doubts.  The US could send ground troops in to Syria to create a safe area for refugees, this would send a strong warning to Syria and Russia, even the Syrians would not bomb the US with WMD, that would mean the end of the Regime. 

The Russians and Syria - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " Russia has been sharply criticised by other world powers at the UN Security Council in New York over the chemical weapons deaths in northern Syria. "

Lets Get Real:

The Russians are never going to cut bait when it comes to Assad of Syria, he grants them a warm water port, a major presence in the Middle East, also he fights rebels that are seen a threat to Russia.  Thus the Russian VETO at the UN for any action against Syria.   The Trump Oval sees Assad as a future ally against Islamic terrorism, thus has changed US policy to accept the fact that Assad will remain in power.   Also President Trump wants a better relationship with Russia, the reasons could be Geo political or based on allegations that the Russians have something on Trump.   As stated by this blog the death toll will rise in Syria, it's in no one's interest to STOP it, any effort to stop the Civil War in Syria would take troops, after the Iraq and Libya the West does not want another War in the Middle East, also West still has troops in Afghanistan, that is an endless WAR.

President Trump and Syria - Trump Era

The White House: Has the following Statement by President Trump on Syria, " Today’s chemical attack in Syria against innocent people, including women and children, is reprehensible and cannot be ignored by the civilized world. These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a “red line” against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus strong attack on Assad, then an attack on the Obama Administration for not following through with its red line, and then it goes to say the US stands with its Allies.  In essence the US under Obama and now Trump are going to do nothing about Syria, with Obama it was the fear that the US would be dragged in to another Middle Eastern War without allies, while Trump wants Assad to take down Daesh.   The elite media brings attention to the problem, BUT IF Trump did anything he would be under critical review from the very same media.   This blog would be impressed if Trump DID something, but it is not holding its breath.   At the end of day the West just washes it hands, and allows the people of Syria to suffer. 

The US Supreme Court and the US Senate - Part 2 - Trump Era

The New York Times: Reports " Strategic Debate in Gorsuch Battle: Use Filibuster Now or Later? "

Lets Get Real:

Even the uber liberal NYT seems to get the fact that a filibuster of Judge Gorsuch is a BAD idea, and they are right, it would be better to challenge the next nominee.   If a Supreme Judge retires or dies this would allow POTUS to frame the Court for the next generation.   The Democrats should wait, the next Nominee could be really far right and then the Democrats could argue that a filibuster was needed, and also it could get  a few Republicans to support them is such a move.    The base is good, but it should not control good politics.  

The US Senate and the Nuclear Option - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " Frustrated Republicans prepare for the nuclear option "

Lets Get Real:

DO NOT PANIC, the US is not going to WAR, it's the decision by US Republicans to change the rules of the Senate, at present it takes 60 votes to get a nominee on the US Supreme Court, after Friday it will only take 51.  The first shot of this battle was done by the Democrats, they were fed up with the Republicans blocking Judges for the lower Courts, thus they changed the rules from 60 to 51, this lesson will now be used by the Republicans when it comes to the Supreme Court.   The bases of both Parties have become more powerful, they keep an eye on their candidates, if you want to get re-elected you have to give the base what it wants, otherwise you are out.