Use of chemical weapons appears to reflect a desire to achieve this at minimal cost by spreading terror. Helping the Assad regime to prevail is an all-or-nothing proposition, a test of strength with the west and the ground on which the spread of western-inspired regime change is finally repulsed. Play Video 2:06 What you need to know about the Syria strikes – video reportIranIran sees in Syria as an essential buffer zone. United StatesThe mantra of the Trump administration is that it is only in Syria to fight Isis. Policing the use of chemical weapons with airstrikes is portrayed as an exceptional responsibility, driven by a national interest in non-proliferation.

Source: The Guardian April 14, 2018 14:03 UTC