Trump weighs Syria options, Russia envoy says he 'cannot exclude' war

[webfact]

Trump weighs Syria options, Russia envoy says he 'cannot exclude' war

By Jeff Mason and Michelle Nichols

 

The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook sails in the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey August 28, 2015. Picture taken August 28, 2015. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik

 

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - President Donald Trump and his national security aides on Thursday discussed U.S. options on Syria, where he has threatened missile strikes in response to a suspected poison gas attack, as a Russian envoy voiced fears of wider conflict between Washington and Moscow.

 

Worries about a confrontation between Russia, Syria's big ally, and the West have been running high since Trump said on Wednesday that missiles "will be coming" in response to the attack in the Syrian town of Douma on April 7, and lambasted Moscow for standing by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

 

Trump tempered those remarks on Thursday.

 

"Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!" Trump wrote on Twitter.

 

Trump met with his national security team on the situation in Syria later in the day and "no final decision has been made," the White House said in a statement.

 

"We are continuing to assess intelligence and are engaged in conversations with our partners and allies," the statement said.

 

Trump spoke to British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday, and the two agreed "on the need to deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime," May's office said in a statement.

 

He was also due to speak with French President Emmanuel Macron, who said France had proof the Syrian government carried out the attack near Damascus, which aid groups have said killed dozens of people, and will decide whether to strike back when all the necessary information has been gathered.

 

"We have proof that last week ... chemical weapons were used, at least with chlorine, and that they were used by the regime of Bashar al-Assad," Macron said, without offering details of any evidence.

 

Two U.S. officials familiar with an investigation of samples from Douma and the symptoms of victims said initial indications that a mix of weaponized chlorine gas and sarin were used in the attack appeared to be correct. But U.S. intelligence agencies have not completed their assessment or reached a final conclusion, the officials said.

 

Russia said it deployed military police in Douma on Thursday after the town was taken over by government forces.

 

"They are the guarantors of law and order in the town," RIA news agency quoted Russia's defence ministry as saying.

 

There were signs of a global effort to head off a direct confrontation between Russia and the West. The Kremlin said a crisis communications link with the United States, created to avoid an accidental clash over Syria, was in use.

 

FEARS OF WAR

 

Vassily Nebenzia, Moscow's ambassador to the United Nations, said he "cannot exclude" war between the United States and Russia and urged Washington and its allies to refrain from military action against Syria.

 

"The immediate priority is to avert the danger of war," he told reporters. "We hope there will be no point of no return," the envoy said.

 

A team of experts from the global chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, was travelling to Syria and will start its investigations on Saturday, the Netherlands-based agency said.

 

It was not clear whether Trump and U.S. allies would wait for the results of the investigation before deciding on a possible strike.

 

In Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress he believed there was a chemical attack in Syria, but added a short while later that the United States had not made any decision to launch military action.

 

"I don't want to talk about a specific attack that is not yet in the offing. ... This would be pre-decisional," Mattis told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.

 

Moscow is estimated to have dozens of aircraft at its Hmeymim air base in Syria including fighters and bombers, as well as 10 to 15 warships and support vessels in the Mediterranean.

 

The Syrian government and Russian forces in Syria possess truck-mounted surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapons systems.

Russia, Syria and its other main backer, Iran, have said reports of the Douma attack were fabricated by rebels and rescue workers and have accused the United States of seeking to use it as a pretext to attack the Syrian government.

 

Nervous world stock markets showed signs of recovery after Trump's signal that military strikes might not be imminent.

 

Britain's May won backing from her senior ministers to take unspecified action with the United States and France to deter further use of chemical weapons by Syria.

 

May had recalled the ministers from their Easter holiday for the meeting to discuss Britain's response to what she has cast as a barbaric attack that cannot go unchallenged.

 

Russian ships had left the Tartus naval base in Syria, Interfax news agency quoted a Russian lawmaker as saying. Vladimir Shamanov, who chairs the defence committee of the lower house, said the vessels had departed the base for their own safety, which was "normal practice" when there were threats of attack.

 

Any U.S. strike would probably involve the Navy, given the risk to aircraft from Russian and Syrian air defences. A U.S. guided-missile destroyer, the USS Donald Cook, is in the Mediterranean.

 

The Syrian conflict has widened the rifts between Moscow, Washington and European powers and inflamed the bitter rivalries that run across the Middle East.

 

(Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washngton and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Additional reporting by Angus McDowall in Beirut, William James, Guy Faulconbridge and David Milliken in London, Andrew Osborn, Maria Kiselyova and Jack Stubbs in Moscow, John Irish in Paris, Graham Fahy in Dublin and John Walcott, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Will Dunham and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-13

[Jack Mountain]

Must be something in the drinking water ...

[darksidedog]

A couple of totally off Topic posts have been removed.

[neeray]

Trump is no Kennedy in a confrontation like this. 

[Krataiboy]

If Trump imagines poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a sharp stick is a smart way to divert public attention from his imminent impeachment, he must even more stupid than we thought.

 

The fact that a misguided bunch of his  fellow citizens voted him into office doesn't mean they - let alone the rest of us  - believe he is worth destroying the world for.

Edited April 13, 2018 by Krataiboy

[Expatthailover]

If there is reprisal comprising the usa, uk and France then no chance will russia hang around.  Uk and france would stomp them like an insect.

However I dont believe trump will strike anywhere where there are russians because of his beholding tp putin and his desire to get into russian real estate in the future.

[Tchooptip]

43 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

If Trump imagines poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a sharp stick is a smart way to divert public attention from his imminent impeachment, he must even more stupid than we thought.

 

The fact that a misguided bunch of his  fellow citizens voted him into office doesn't mean they - let alone the rest of us  - believe he is worth destroying the world for.

One could hardly contradict you 

[riclag]

3 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

If Trump imagines poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a sharp stick is a smart way to divert public attention from his imminent impeachment, he must even more stupid than we thought.

 

The fact that a misguided bunch of his  fellow citizens voted him into office doesn't mean they - let alone the rest of us  - believe he is worth destroying the world for.

Krataiboy-What should the USA do, in this politically divided America?Should the allies and the USA grow some and handle chemicals being used on rebels through retaliation or through diplomatic means ,while knowing 1 year ago missiles where used to try to persuade them to stop?Just asking

Edited April 13, 2018 by riclag

[Xaos]

US war mongers are out of control and needs to be stopped.

[dunroaming]

Syrian jets have been moved to Russian air bases in Syria.  Let's not pretend this isn't being orchestrated by Putin.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, Expatthailover said:

If there is reprisal comprising the usa, uk and France then no chance will russia hang around.  Uk and france would stomp them like an insect.

However I dont believe trump will strike anywhere where there are russians because of his beholding tp putin and his desire to get into russian real estate in the future.

As Russian ships had left the Tartus naval base in Syria for their own safety, base strategic infrastructure (piers, oil tanks, maintenance facilities, defenses, roads) make great targets with minimum human collateral.

[Jingthing]

This is no joke.

We are headed now into a place where it's entirely possible where Russians and Americans will be intentionally killing each other. That's beyond the cold war even, except for the spy stuff. 

Edited April 13, 2018 by Jingthing

[dunroaming]

44 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This is no joke.

We are headed now into a place where it's entirely possible where Russians and Americans will be intentionally killing each other. That's beyond the cold war even, except for the spy stuff. 

You are right, this is no joke!  The act of actually seeing the deliberate killing of Russians by the Americans or Americans by Russia could escalate to terrifying levels.

 

The ball is in Trumps court but that is of his own making.  His loose talking/tweeting has meant that he now has to follow up the rhetoric with some form of action.

[Morch]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

As Russian ships had left the Tartus naval base in Syria for their own safety, base strategic infrastructure (piers, oil tanks, maintenance facilities, defenses, roads) make great targets with minimum human collateral.

 

I don't think the US will target Russian bases/facilities/infrastructure. The ships taking to sea is both a step to decrease the chances of complications, and standard procedure faced with the possibility of a conflagration. Guess some would track/shadow Western vessels.

[Rimmer]

Some off topic troll posts have been removed

[Thaidream]

Trump shot his mouth off- now everyone expects some type of action. He can drop some missiles on Syrian infrastructure where no collateral damage will take place.  The US military Command needs to plan a drawdown and be out of Syria in 6 months. Let the Russians have the place; let them  spend their money and human treasure to allow a dictator to continue to hold power.   

 

There is a limit to American power or American influence to make changes.  The American people are tired of  wars and weary of Middle East intervention. America has big problems at home- there is nothing in Syria that involves the national interest of the United States.

[dunroaming]

12 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

The American people are tired of  wars and weary of Middle East intervention. America has big problems at home- there is nothing in Syria that involves the national interest of the United States.

And I believe Trump made that a part of his campaign.  That he would not get involved in overseas debacles.

[Srikcir]

18 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

there is nothing in Syria that involves the national interest of the United States.

How about a Syrian-Iranian threat against Israel?

[Morch]

32 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

How about a Syrian-Iranian threat against Israel?

 

Or Saudi and Iran going at it. This or that pipeline. Or oil prices. Etc....

Syria by itself, in terms of natural resources and such, not much. Syria as a potential catalyst for other developments, yes.

[phantomfiddler]

2 hours ago, dunroaming said:

You are right, this is no joke!  The act of actually seeing the deliberate killing of Russians by the Americans or Americans by Russia could escalate to terrifying levels.

 

The ball is in Trumps court but that is of his own making.  His loose talking/tweeting has meant that he now has to follow up the rhetoric with some form of action.

How so of his own making ? Trump did not orchestrate the Russia/Syria connection, and neither did he gas innocent civilians !

[Morch]

6 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

How so of his own making ? Trump did not orchestrate the Russia/Syria connection, and neither did he gas innocent civilians !

 

Yeah, but through his hasty tweeting, committed the US to a course of action that may be less than desirable and effective, certainly dangerous.

[Thaidream]

Israel would be no issue if it would settle with the Palestinians and  then Iran has no issues with either Israel or the US.  Saudia Arabia and the Gulf States have trillions- time that they took over policing their own neighborhood.  Enough American money and blood has been spent on the Middle East while the sheiks make more money and live in luxury while Americans at home continue to die from lack of healthcare.

 

Trump will continue the interventions because it's good for business and he could care less how many Americans die or have no real healthcare.

[bristolboy]

16 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

How so of his own making ? Trump did not orchestrate the Russia/Syria connection, and neither did he gas innocent civilians !

 

9 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Yeah, but through his hasty tweeting, committed the US to a course of action that may be less than desirable and effective, certainly dangerous.

And it gets worse because he announced his intention to get US troops out of Syria ASAP.  So what exactly does he hope to achieve by firing off some missiles? Catharsis?

 

 

Edited April 13, 2018 by bristolboy

[stag4]

7 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

If Trump imagines poking the Russian Bear in the eye with a sharp stick is a smart way to divert public attention from his imminent impeachment, he must even more stupid than we thought.

 

The fact that a misguided bunch of his  fellow citizens voted him into office doesn't mean they - let alone the rest of us  - believe he is worth destroying the world for.

Impeached for what exactly?

 

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, stag4 said:

Impeached for what exactly?

 

Obstruction of justice almost definitely guilty.

Emoluments clause violations.

Campaign finance violations if he had knowledge of Cohen's activities.

Also legal issues in his business history which is being investigated in NEW YORK that probably don't directly involve his presidency but could prove extremely messy as a complication in any hope of continuing his presidency.

 

The collusion with Russia possibility part of it will likely take a lot more time for there to be a conclusion. Doesn't matter. Above is more than enough legally. Then it's a matter of political decisions because the impeachable offenses will be there. 

[Thaidream]

Impeached for obstructing justice and lying to the Special counsel investigators. He may not have initiated collusion with Russia but when he found out about it- he took advantage of it. There is  no doubt that Russia interfered in the Us election- per the CIA and FBI.  Trump still postulates that millions of illegal aliens voted for Hillary Clinton and that is why he lost the popular vote.

 

While Trump may desire a Syria withdrawal- he is allowing the US military to draw up plans to get out without allowing ISIS to reform.  The problem now with Syria - he went to Twitter and posted that he will send missles on Syria and Russia should be prepared.  What a ridiculous thing to say as a President.  First of all going to Social Media to tell the World as a form of some type of bravado and then because you shoot  off your mouth- you have committed the US military apparatus to some action.

 

Former Secretary of State Tillerson said it correctly- "Trump is a freaking moron"!!

 

 

 

 

[stag4]

Well we will see how the future unfolds but I doubt it very much.

investigation going on for over a year now and he has not been impeached.

As for collusion with the Russians, I think that you are getting him confused with Hillary Clinton and the Uranium One deal!

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, stag4 said:

Well we will see how the future unfolds but I doubt it very much.

investigation going on for over a year now and he has not been impeached.

As for collusion with the Russians, I think that you are getting him confused with Hillary Clinton and the Uranium One deal!

That's the most lame of excuses. The investigation is proceeding AGGRESSIVELY. Multiple people have already been charged, some have made deals to spill more info, and one is being sent to prison. Yet, you conclude because "trump" hasn't been impeached YET, that Mueller has nothing on him. Mueller is a total PRO and is building his case methodically. There almost definitely will be an accusation of obstruction of justice. Again, "trump" made the case for that himself publicly. Also it seems you don't even understand how impeachment might happen. A report will be made to the Justice department and likely the public. Then it is up to the house to impeach or not. The house probably will be taken over by the democrats in November so depending on the timing of all this, impeachment in the house is definitely a possibility based on obstruction of justice. Beyond that, if impeached in the house, then the senate would need to convict to forcibly kick him out. Less likely they will do that, but by then, so much more will have happened. Cohen the sleazy lawyer may turn on "trump" to avoid decades in prison. The dirt that comes out from Cohen may be so damning that the republicans are persuaded to help convict him in the senate and/or he just gets disgraced into quitting like Nixon.

Lots of potential scenarios of course, but your conclusion that nothing can happen now because it's supposed "taken so long" with "nothing" discovered is just totally incorrect. 

 

Edited April 13, 2018 by Jingthing

[stag4]

Proceeding aggressively, they are clutching at straws, raiding his lawyers office over a payment to a hooker!

Nuclear war being threatened and the Libtards want to talk about Stormy Daniels

?

[bristolboy]

2 minutes ago, stag4 said:

Proceeding aggressively, they are clutching at straws, raiding his lawyers office over a payment to a hooker!

Nuclear war being threatened and the Libtards want to talk about Stormy Daniels

?

Good point. Wouldn't put it past Trump to bring us to the brink of nuclear war in order to distract from the investigation.