General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMissile Strikes Are Unlikely to Stop Syria's Chemical Attacks, Pentagon Says
A military intelligence report found that the Syrian government is expected to resume its chemical weapons program, despite President Trump saying mission accomplished. Heres how the strike unfolded.
Planning for the strike of 105 missiles on three targets chemical weapons storage and research facilities near Damascus and Homs took nearly a full week. CreditHassan Ammar/Associated Press
By Thomas Gibbons-Neff
April 19, 2018
WASHINGTON A barrage of missiles against Syria by American, French and British forces most likely will not stop President Bashar al-Assads chemical weapons program, a Pentagon assessment has concluded, despite President Trumps Mission Accomplished! declaration hours after last weekends strikes.
The military intelligence report, put out less than three days after the attack, said the allied airstrikes likely set back Mr. Assads production of sarin gas.
But it found that the Syrian president is expected to continue researching and developing chemical weapons for potential future use, according to an American intelligence analyst who has seen the document and described it to The New York Times on the condition of anonymity.
They do retain a residual capability to produce chemical weapons, Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the Joint Staff director, said on Thursday of the Syrian government. He said the chemical weapons are spread through the country.
They still have ability to conduct attacks; I would not rule that out, General McKenzie said.
more
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/world/middleeast/syria-strikes.html
tonyt53
(5,737 posts)Chlorine has so many uses that it would be pretty much impossible to get rid of all of it. It is usually stored as a solid also. So, to rid Syria of chlorine, would likely bring many deaths due to unsanitary conditions in food processing and handling and sanitation for starters
gordianot
(15,249 posts)I guess someone will have to ban Syrian swimming pools. The ludicrous idea that Syria has to research chemical weapons when their Russian benefactors can provide all the expertise any mass murdering client State would ever desire defies credibility.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)I'd bet that a barrage of missiles would be largely ineffective in any case with even nominal consideration for civilian populations. But when Trump gave the Syrians and the Russians several days' notice of his intent to launch missiles, it practically guaranteed the salvo would be useless as far as effecting any policy changes.
I realize the media are completely entranced by Trump's childish taunts and nicknames, but maybe they could break loose a couple of minutes every now and then to follow up on Trump's show of impotent power.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,226 posts)....duh.