Flirting with WWIII

President Trump has ordered “precision missile strikes” in order to let Assad know that the US will not tolerate the false flags of its proxies. Or something.

President Donald Trump said he had approved military strikes on Syria in retaliation for an apparent chemical attack by the regime of Bashar al-Assad on a rebel town.

“A short time ago I ordered the United States armed forces to launch precision strikes” on targets associated with Syria chemical weapons, Trump said in remarks Friday night.

Trump said the strikes would be carried out in coordination with France and the U.K.

Trump’s statement on U.S. policy toward Syria came after days of speculation that the U.S. would launch a strike against Syria in retaliation for an apparent chemical weapons attack last weekend that killed scores of civilians.

Idiocy, of course. But it strikes me as Trump trying to look like he’s doing something without provoking a serious response.

The problem is this: The Russian military said on 13 March it would respond to any US strike on Syria, targeting any missiles and launchers involved in such an attack.

UPDATE: Syria’s capital has been rocked by loud explosions that lit up the sky with heavy smoke as U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes in retaliation for the country’s alleged use of chemical weapons. Associated Press reporters in Damascus saw smoke rising from east Damascus early Saturday morning local time. Syrian state TV says the attack has begun on the capital, though it wasn’t immediately clear what was targeted.

This all looks insanely stupid and totally pointless. I hope this is all some sort of kabuki allowing the God-Emperor to declare martial law and drain the swamp. Consider:

  1. Dumbest, most unnecessary, and most poorly timed “chemical attack” ever.
  2. Bizarre overreaction on the part of the President.
  3. Uncharacteristically strong and public pre-reaction on the part of the ordinarily patient Russians.
I’m not saying this is the case, I’m just saying that I won’t be very surprised if after some missile strikes and the sinking of one or two of the US Navy’s older ships, martial law is declared, all of the God-Emperor’s domestic enemies are arrested, and last-minute personal negotiations between Trump and Putin save the day and avert World War III.

And, as always, I advise patience before reaching any conclusions. Remember, this is not the first time. It won’t be the last time. Relax.