Trump: 'mission accomplished' on 'perfectly executed' Syria strike

[rooster59]

Trump: 'mission accomplished' on 'perfectly executed' Syria strike

 

U.S. President Donald Trump makes a statement about Syria at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 13, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Twitter praised Western air strikes against the Syrian government on Saturday as "perfectly executed", and added "Mission Accomplished".

 

"A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!" Trump said in a Twitter post.

 

Trump's message echoed the words of a banner that hung behind former President George W. Bush when he gave a speech in 2003 from the USS Abraham Lincoln, during the Iraq War.

 

That visual dogged Bush's presidency as the war dragged out, with worsening American casualties, for the remainder of his two terms in office.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-04-14

[Jingthing]

He reckons his loyal base doesn't remember stuff from five minutes ago, much less several years ago.

Perhaps "trump" himself doesn't know how embarrassingly loaded that Mission Accomplished crowing was for W. Bush. Also ridiculous. This was a quick strike. No intention to actually challenge the leadership of Assad / Russia / Iran in Syria and certainly not accomplished (as not even tried). 

 

 

In May 2003, President George W. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier under a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner and declared that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" — just six weeks after the invasion.

 

https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/Trump-uses-phrase-that-haunts-Bush-Mission-12834143.php

QUOTE --
Trump uses phrase that haunted Bush: 'Mission Accomplished!'

...

But the war dragged on for many years after that and the banner became a symbol of U.S. misjudgments and mistakes in the long and costly conflict. Bush was heavily criticized for the move.

[lovelomsak]

17 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

He reckons his loyal base doesn't remember stuff from five minutes ago, much less several years ago.

Perhaps "trump" himself doesn't know how embarrassingly loaded that Mission Accomplished crowing was for W. Bush. Also ridiculous. This was a quick strike. No intention to actually challenge the leadership of Assad / Russia / Iran in Syria and certainly not accomplished (as not even tried). 

 

 

In May 2003, President George W. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier under a giant "Mission Accomplished" banner and declared that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended" — just six weeks after the invasion.

 

https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/Trump-uses-phrase-that-haunts-Bush-Mission-12834143.php

QUOTE --
Trump uses phrase that haunted Bush: 'Mission Accomplished!'

...

But the war dragged on for many years after that and the banner became a symbol of U.S. misjudgments and mistakes in the long and costly conflict. Bush was heavily criticized for the move.

Thanks for the history lesson. 

  So what does it have to do with this. If it was well executed and did what they wanted to do why go on about what Bush did? 

 Bush was talking ended. Trump appears to be talking about one air strike that was done well big difference in context I would  say.

[impulse]

28 minutes ago, lovelomsak said:

Thanks for the history lesson. 

  So what does it have to do with this. If it was well executed and did what they wanted to do why go on about what Bush did? 

 Bush was talking ended. Trump appears to be talking about one air strike that was done well big difference in context I would  say.

 

He could have chosen different words, perhaps "Great Job", or anything but "Mission Accomplished" which carries so much negative connotation that it's used in sarcasm more often than in a genuine congratulatory context. 

 

"Mission Accomplished" rates right up there with "Read my lips, no new taxes", and "Peace for our time".  Only an idiot would choose those expressions.

[Silurian]

Wow, one set of missile strikes and peace has broken out in Syria! I guess all the troops can come home now as Assad has been rightfully put in his place. Boy, I am glad that it is all over now as the mission has been accomplished. Whew, that was a close one.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The fog of (kind of) war...

 

As best as I can tell from sifting thru various sources:

 

--The U.S. is probably done for now, despite not ruling out additional attacks.

 

--A lot of the missiles probably hit their 3 targets, although some were shot down.

 

--None of them came anywhere near Russian forces or facilities, and the U.S. had given Russia some info before the attacks. Russia said some of the targeted facilities had already been evacuated prior to the strikes.

 

--Nothing that happened in the attack changes the political or military situation of Syria's government and president on the ground and its ongoing, but seemingly petering out, civil war.

 

So all in all, a kind of mostly symbolic, limited, focused attack designed to send a message about the use of chemical weapons, and not much more than that.

 

[Topdoc]

The former head of Britain's special forces, Major General Jonathan Shaw, said:

‘Why would Assad use chemical weapons at this time? He’s already won the war.'

[metisdead]

Some troll posts have been removed. 

[Expatthailover]

Sadly as russia is the undisputed master of creating and producing chemical weapons it would be a brave or very stupid  ( yes thats you don) who would bet against syria using such weapons in the future.

[Destiny1990]

Wow he bombed 3 empty buildings or something like that what a complete loser he is for colluding with the Russians. meanwhile barrel bombs are dropping on civilians

[mickymouse1]

WOW!!!GB,F&USA 3 big powerful nations v that little rat and what have they achieved in all honesty? Not only the strike was illegal as it was not sanctioned by the UNSC but was really to test certain new technology.???I wonder how much did that mission cost the tax payers and whether the money would have been better spent on hospitals or schools?

[Boon Mee]

Yes, another well-coordinated job accomplished by Trump and his British & French partners. 

[chenierkmer]

Let’s see what the Russians will offer up in terms of retaliation the love to take the main stage in poison and nerve gas .


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

[55Jay]

Well, it is "mission accomplished" in the literal sense but I agree, he should have been more thoughtful and restrained, instead of chortling boastfully on Twitter.  

 

Obviously he's basking in the idea of being a resolute "Say what I mean, do what I say" President, acting on a righteous, moral imperative.  Intended to compare and contrast (again) to Former President Obama's infamous "red line" choke.    Also that he's unafraid to proceed with military action despite Putin's promise to repel and defend against it. 

 

All good, that sort of thing speaks for itself.  And then Trump opens the hole below his nose and stupid falls out.  Every time. 

 

Less is more.  And sometimes, silence is golden. 

[cheapcanuck]

After giving Russia 48 hour notice of the attack. 

[Sydebolle]

Once Flint in Michigan has drinkable tap water, those 48 millions presently on food stamps are sent working and earn enough to do without food stamps and once every eleventh citizens of yours can find China on the world map - then you‘ve accomplished something which Europe achieved decades ago - before that you just made your „defense“ industry richer and the Goldsteins, Rosenblatts, Rothschilds, Zuckerhuts and Bushs - all non-Arabs if you have not figured that one out - have been pleased again. Pathetic to say the least! 

[impulse]

19 minutes ago, cheapcanuck said:

After giving Russia 48 hour notice of the attack. 

 

Smartest thing he did.  Imagine they had bombed a building where a bunch of Russkies just happened to be doing some training, or inspections of some kind.  And no way for anyone to complain about civilian casualties.

 

Plus, it's like those movies where one guy tells another "In 5 seconds I'm going to smack you and there isn't a damn thing you can do to stop me."  Then he smacks the other guy.   Sends a strong message to everyone watching.  Not just the guy who just got smacked.

 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

Once Flint in Michigan has drinkable tap water, those 48 millions presently on food stamps are sent working and earn enough to do without food stamps and once every eleventh citizens of yours can find China on the world map - then you‘ve accomplished something which Europe achieved decades ago - before that you just made your „defense“ industry richer and the Goldsteins, Rosenblatts, Rothschilds, Zuckerhuts and Bushs - all non-Arabs if you have not figured that one out - have been pleased again. Pathetic to say the least! 

Wow. Antisemitic global control conspiracy theories again. The gift of Jew hating that never stops giving. Didn't expect that on this topic.

[Benmart]

16 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

Thanks for the history lesson. 

  So what does it have to do with this. If it was well executed and did what they wanted to do why go on about what Bush did? 

 Bush was talking ended. Trump appears to be talking about one air strike that was done well big difference in context I would  say.

I agree. I am surprised that the World War II declarations of the same, were not resurrected for comparison in order to discredit the accomplishment of this particular mission.

 

I suspect that many of the TVF "experts" never served in any form of public service, nor participated in anything more critical than ordering a pizza on-line.

[Media1]

Where is Putin with that big mouth. We will shoot down all misiles. A pretender and dark ages ago driven dictator. 

[finnishmen]

i hope sure usa use hydrogenbomb to all syrian, then can say proplem solved, no newer again have proplem, same israel need uses to gaza area, then world have better and less proplem anywere. hope make big good solved fats, The Trump have best what usa have all usa history, i looking many,all european and noth europe country need too mini trump to presidents too,then this today crazy live can end and make all good and better fast.

 

[Jingthing]

6 minutes ago, finnishmen said:

i hope sure usa use hydrogenbomb to all syrian, then can say proplem solved, no newer again have proplem, same israel need uses to gaza area, then world have better and less proplem anywere. hope make big good solved fats, The Trump have best what usa have all usa history, i looking many,all european and noth europe country need too mini trump to presidents too,then this today crazy live can end and make all good and better fast.

 

Hmm.

A failed attempt at Swiftian satire ... or what? 

[farcanell]

16 hours ago, impulse said:

 

He could have chosen different words, perhaps "Great Job", or anything but "Mission Accomplished" which carries so much negative connotation that it's used in sarcasm more often than in a genuine congratulatory context. 

 

"Mission Accomplished" rates right up there with "Read my lips, no new taxes", and "Peace for our time".  Only an idiot would choose those expressions.

Ah.... 

i was wondering why there was an issue with the phrase, given my thinking mirrored Lovelomsaks.... not being American, I didn’t get that

?

[BuriramSam]

 Hilarious thread. Not much if any talk sbout the success of the mission. I suppose whining about George W. Bush is supposed to be a good substitute. 

[bristolboy]

1 hour ago, BuriramSam said:

 Hilarious thread. Not much if any talk sbout the success of the mission. I suppose whining about George W. Bush is supposed to be a good substitute. 

Well, how do you define success? Is it how the US military defined the mission? Destroying those facilities? In that case, it was a success. Is it going to have any effect on the progress of the civil war? In ohter words, did it really matter?  The Syrians had plenty of time to move whatever resources were movable to Russian bases where they were protected. Will the Russians and/or the Iranians, the chief backers of the Assad regime modify their support in any way because of this attack. Doesn't seem so. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 hours ago, mickymouse1 said:

WOW!!!GB,F&USA 3 big powerful nations v that little rat and what have they achieved in all honesty? Not only the strike was illegal as it was not sanctioned by the UNSC but was really to test certain new technology.???I wonder how much did that mission cost the tax payers and whether the money would have been better spent on hospitals or schools?

 

The U.S. or even either of its other two partners in this attack could easily crush Syria if they wanted to.

 

But the problem -- as apparently everyone else in the world except you realizes -- is that Russia has closely allied itself with Syria for its own reasons and has stationed military personnel and equipment in the country, and has been actively aiding the Syrian government in its efforts to defeat the various anti-government forces.

 

So please explain to everyone here how the U.S. or Britain or France are going to take out "that little rat" without setting off a direct and serious military confrontation between US/GB/FR and Russia -- something that probably none of any of those sides really wants to see happen?  Especially when, for now, all the conflict involved is entirely domestic within Syria.

 

So in the absence of that, and given that most countries in the world do NOT want to see Syria or anyone else using chemical/nerve agents that are outlawed and would want to prevent that from happening again, what are the alternatives? Not do nothing. Not go to war against Russia. So, you get what you got.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here is a follow-up, aftermath report from Bloomberg on Saturday:

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-14/warship-ruse-and-new-stealth-missiles-how-they-attacked-syria

 

Quote

Pentagon officials on Saturday said they faced little resistance to their targeted attack on what they said were three Syrian chemical weapons facilities. Most of the Syrian countermeasures, including defensive ballistic missiles, were fired after U.S. and allied weapons hit their targets, Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters on Saturday. “No Syrian weapon had any effect on anything we did,” McKenzie said.

 

Quote

 

As the president addressed the nation at 9 p.m. Washington time, on Friday, a barrage of 105 U.S., U.K. and French missiles converged on Syria. They came from the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean, homing in from three directions to overwhelm whatever missile defenses Assad’s regime might deploy. Russia’s more advanced air defense system didn’t engage the allied weapons.

According to the Pentagon, the allied weaponry included 19 new “Extended-Range” stealthy Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Attack Munitions launched by two B-1B bombers based out of Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and six Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the Virginia-class USS John Warner submarine.

 

[Skywalker69]

[mikebike]

20 hours ago, Boon Mee said:

Yes, another well-coordinated job accomplished by Trump and his British & French partners. 

Accepting the limited Syrian engagement as a success, what other actions by 45 and his Brit and French partners are you referring to to constitute "another"?

[BuriramSam]

11 hours ago, bristolboy said:

Well, how do you define success? Is it how the US military defined the mission? Destroying those facilities? In that case, it was a success. Is it going to have any effect on the progress of the civil war? In ohter words, did it really matter?  The Syrians had plenty of time to move whatever resources were movable to Russian bases where they were protected. Will the Russians and/or the Iranians, the chief backers of the Assad regime modify their support in any way because of this attack. Doesn't seem so. 

Someone has some reading rather than ranting to do.