In anticipation of an imminent missile strike by U.S.-led coalition, the crude oil price skyrocketed. The Dow Jones plunged more than 200 points. British Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered British submarines to move within missile range of Syria. U.S. President Trump has cancelled his scheduled trip to multiple South American countries.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly agreed to a joint military operation with allies U.K. and the U.S. to launch a military strike against Syria. Civilian planes were ordered to clear the airspace over Syria by the U.S. military while the European air traffic controller has warned airlines to “exercise caution” in the Eastern Mediterranean.

 

Two Navy destroyers – USS Donald Cook and USS Porter – armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles were reportedly sailing to the eastern Mediterranean. The U.S. strike group – aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman – has set sail for the Middle East and Europe. Russia military said they’re tracking the U.S. strike force, scheduled to arrive early May. It appeared nothing could stop Syria from being bombed.

Moscow has warned Washington of “grave repercussions” if it carries out an attack against Syrian government force. However, Trump mocked the Russians – “Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart!’ You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”

 

Suddenly, Trump dropped a bombshell, claiming he never said when or if he will actually attack Syria – “Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our ‘Thank you America?'”

 

So, why did the U.S. Commander-in-Chief backpedal within 24 hours? It was a huge U-turn no matter how you see it. First, he confidently told Russia to hide as there was nothing they could do to stop incoming American smart missiles. Then, he confused the world with rhetoric that the U.S. may or may not attack Syria at all. Can he make up his mind?

 

Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 11 April 2018

 

Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all! In any event, the United States, under my Administration, has done a great job of ridding the region of ISIS. Where is our “Thank you America?”

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 12 April 2018

 

As the POTUS, Trump doesn’t look like a tough leader who can decisively make up his mind to teach the evil Syrian regime a lesson. To give him the benefit of doubt, he could be waiting for the arrival of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Middle East. Still, even if that’s true, he did not have to tweet that he never said when an attack on Syria would take place.

 

What he needed to do was to keep his big mouth shut. To tweet that the U.S. military strike “could be very soon or not so soon at all” gives an impression that the POTUS is ready to chicken out, depending on the next action of Russian President Vladimir Putin. There is a possibility that Trump administration may have miscalculated the game plan.

 

While the sanctions against Russia – affecting 7 Russian oligarchs, 12 businesses and 17 government officials – is effective, it is also counter productive. It has essentially pushed Putin to the wall, hence with very little to lose, the Russians could retaliate with an unexpected military force unimaginable to the American forces.

Putin himself is under tremendous pressure to retaliate – militarily and not rhetorically – after having given his warning to the U.S. last year that Russia-Iran will strike back if the Yankees attack Syria again. This will be the second time Trump launches a missile attack against Syria, and Putin risks losing face if he doesn’t retaliate in a meaningful way.

 

The Israeli-based satellite operator iSi, has just published two photos of what appears to be Russian warships being deployed from the Port of Tartus in Syria. The fleet of Russian warships includes an Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate, two Kilo-Class submarines, a Ropucha-class landing ship, supply vessels and several others.

 

There’s little doubt that what Trump wanted is a precision military strike against Syria, without killing any Russian military forces, so that the U.S. president could declare victory to his fellow Americans. Therefore, before launching the missile strike, Trump needs to stroke Putin’s back to persuade him to cooperate and temporarily relocate all Russian forces to safe haven.

The question is – why should Putin give way without getting something back in return? Sure, the Russians may not be bold enough to attack American naval ship which fires Tomahawk cruise missiles at Syrian airfields or co-called chemical weapons facility. But they surely can go after American-protected anti-Assad rebels, a process which could also kill American soldiers embedded with them.

 

There are currently about 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria. Kremlin, on the other hand, has an estimated 10,000 troops and fewer than 100 warplanes in Syria. So, if the U.S. missile attacks somehow kills – deliberately or accidentally – some Russian troops, Putin will most likely kill – directly or by proxy – some American troops too under the pretext of fighting anti-Assad rebels.

 

Unlike the U.S. attack a year ago, Putin can’t look weak and lose credibility this time. The Russian leader didn’t respond when the United States fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at the al-Shayrat airbase last year. Last June, the U.S. shot down a Syrian warplane, the first time the Americans brought down a Syrian military plane – also without retaliation from Putin.

Trump was and is still a businessman despite becoming the POTUS. He has no appetite for a real war with a big boy like Russia. The only war that he likes is the one where he could bully his way to victory. He knows while the U.S. can exit anytime from Syria, Putin has invested too much blood and treasure to save Assad regime. Putin isn’t going to quit Syria.

 

Other Articles That May Interest You …

• US-Led Coalition Is About To Strike Syria, And Putin Risks Losing Face If He Doesn’t Retaliate
• The Hidden Message – Here’s Why Russia Tests Its Invincible “Satan 2” Missile … Again
• Here’s Why UK Chemical Attack Could Have Been Staged To Blame Russia
• If US Strikes Syria Again, Russia And Iran Will Hit Back
• Here’s Why Tomahawk Strikes In Syria Is Just A Smokescreen
• American Aggression – The Hidden Reasons Why 59 Tomahawk Strikes Syria
• Kalibr Missiles On Its Way – Russia Is Sending Frigate Admiral Grigorovich To Syria
• “Battle Of Aleppo” – Russia Challenges U.S. To A War … If Obama Dares
• Panic!! Russia’s Aircraft Carrier Leading A Fleet Of Warships Towards Mediterranean
• Here Are Russia’s 3 Awesome Weapons Which The U.S. Is Absolutely Terrified Of

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April 13th, 2018 by financetwitter

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