Trump policy changes, in Syria and elsewhere

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.

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