Although it was cautious and limited in nature, the U.S. missile strike in Syria early Saturday morning – carried out with America's British and French allies against Syria's chemical weapons infrastructure – delivered a clear and concise message that deviates from the specific context of the civil war.
To be sure, this operation inherently consists of an uncompromising commitment to exact a price from other renegade states as well and to take punitive action against them every time they cross red lines. This attack, therefore, can be seen as a red card for Bashar Assad. At the same time, however, it can be understood as a yellow card for Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang, and as a signal that the Barack Obama era of appeasement and feebleness is over.
So it happened that while the 44th president didn't respond to the massive chemical weapon attack perpetrated by the Syrian regime against a defenseless civilian population in September 2013, despite previously vowing to do so, the current White House, for the second time in a year, has exhibited decisiveness, credibility and leadership in the face of Damascus' crimes – even if it only pertains to the sphere of chemical weapons.
Moreover, even though the risk of military action is currently far greater in comparison to the situation in 2103 – Assad's Russian patron should presently grant him immunity and a military security blanket – the American president didn't hesitate to act under challenging conditions.
Indeed, after the deal to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons arsenal was again exposed as a disgrace – a deal which a flustered Obama concocted with the Kremlin to replace America's promised retaliation – the American hegemon's response was quick to follow, even if its objective was not to alter the overall balance of power in the war-torn country.
Although it signaled an end to eight years of American weakness and inaction in the international arena, the pinpoint airstrike also illustrated the administration's desire to avoid direct and hazardous conflict with the Kremlin in an arena where Russian President Vladimir Putin has already established dominance. Therefore, what we saw was a controlled and focused operation, limited to addressing the unconventional weapons sphere.
One month before the U.S. decides whether to certify that Iran is in compliance with the nuclear deal and Trump meets with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, a meeting that will also focus on that country's nuclear capabilities, Trump has made it clear through actions and not words that America has embarked on a new era.
Alongside the desire to minimize its direct involvement in international conflicts and crises, the U.S. is now increasingly determined to return to a leadership position that will raise the spirits of those defenseless communities that have fallen victim to murderous chemical attacks and instill confidence in America's loyal allies, like Israel and South Korea. After all, both Jerusalem and Seoul have long been threatened by the "axis of evil" and Tehran and Pyongyang's relentless strive to develop a nuclear bomb.
In light of all this, the last missile attack should signal to Rouhani and Kim that the rules of the game have changed, and the "America First" principle does not mean the U.S. intends to stand on the sidelines when it comes to crimes against humanity or attempts to acquire the ability to carry out such crimes.
We have then before us a more determined, if not sufficiently comprehensive, Western front in the face of the challenges that lie ahead. Germany's absence from the coalition airstrikes was surprising and begged the question: Is the barbaric use of poisonous gas as a means of extermination so distant from the German consciousness and its history?
All that remains is to wait and see whether this increasing determination will also shape the Western powers' positions on the future of the Iran nuclear deal, especially in light of the blatant failure of the deal to disarm Syria of chemical weapons.
