Just over a year ago US President Donald Trump ordered a missile strike against the Syrian government for a chemical weapons attack against its own people. (AP)While the chemical weapons attack has put Syria fully on Trump’s radar, experts say it’s unlikely to persuade him to stay the course in Syria beyond defeating Islamic State. It is about ISIS and deterring Assad’s use of chemical weapons. “The strikes may convince (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to stop further use (of chemical weapons) by Assad as it remains clear we are pulling out of Syria. Russia has declared victory three times in Syria and thwarted international efforts for a political transition and Assad’s eventual departure, said Maksad.

Source: Hindustan Times April 15, 2018 04:25 UTC