# Pres Macron says there is proof that Assad/Syria engaged in chemical weapons attack. What next? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 12, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299 "2018-04-12T16:17:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/61 "2018-04-14T05:59:30Z")
Just like a clock that doesn’t run is right twice a day. President Chump has done the right thing by bombing Syria. A year ago, we blew up a runway and called it quits. I hope it’s more than that this time. If it were up to me, I’d blow the fuck up the presidential palace along with that whole Assad clan. Of course, no one ever puts me in charge of these things. Don’t worry, Chump, there’s still room in the news for your golden showers. ---
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/62 "2018-04-14T06:16:34Z")
On the day the OPCW would start their investigation… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/63 "2018-04-14T06:20:41Z")
Now if we can just figure out how President Donald J. “Golden Shower” Chump convinced Assad to launch a chemical attack when he did. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/64 "2018-04-14T07:00:47Z")
Scooter Libby is digging it. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/65 "2018-04-14T07:58:40Z")
> [@Latro](#): > > On the day the OPCW would start their investigation… Indeed. Not just an investigation - that would be a start, but an independent investigation. Why wouldn’t you want biopsy analysis first. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/66 "2018-04-14T17:05:02Z")
> [@Latro](#): > > On the day the OPCW would start their investigation… They aren’t planning to stop the investigation, so I’m not sure what the issue is. From what I can see this was a pretty limited and narrow strike aimed strictly Syrian chemical weapons capabilities, which. you know, they aren’t supposed to have anyway based on the 2013 agreement. . The bulk of the US forces seem to be en route to the region, dispatched yesterday and no due to arrive for at least a week. Seems like that should give the investigation team plenty of time to flesh out the early reports, though according to both the UK and France there is already sufficient evidence pointing out Syria. I’m unsure what ‘independent investigation’ Russia has performed that is obviously up to up\_the\_junction’s standards, but they too feel there is already sufficient evidence pointing at the UK as the culprit, and not sure what further team they plan to send. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/67 "2018-04-14T20:22:50Z")
> [@XT](#): > > … From what I can see this was a pretty limited and narrow strike aimed strictly Syrian chemical weapons capabilities… It appears to have been quite limited: > [@](#): > > The allies fired 105 weapons at these targets. The missiles came from British, French and American platforms in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean, McKenzie said. > > “All weapons hit their targets close to the designated time on target,” he said. The American ships were: the USS Monterrey, the USS Laboon, the USS Higgins and the submarine USS John Warner. Two B-1 Lancer bombers launched joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles. Support aircraft – tankers, fighters, electronic warfare aircraft and more – also participated. > > “None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses,” McKenzie said. “We have no indication that Russian air defenses were employed.” [DoD news](https://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1493718/pentagon-officials-describe-syria-strikes-hope-assad-gets-message/) [Here are some pictures of the aftermath](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5615673/Pentagon-says-airstrikes-crippled-Syrias-chemical-weapons-systems.html). ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/68 "2018-04-14T20:28:52Z")
Well that must have surprised the hell out of people on the ground. I don’t think the world has seen a US President using ‘blowing shit up’ in the Middle East as a tactic to improve their ratings before. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/69 "2018-04-14T20:53:59Z")
Apparently Putin didn’t even attempt to use the S-400 system. The Russians didn’t even turn their radars on. My guess is that Putin was warned to stay out of it, and probably that even if he turned his radars on he might find missiles homing in on them. Russia cannot afford to lose those S-400 systems - Putin hasn’t got many, and they are really expensive and Russia doesn’t have the kind of military budget that can afford to waste them on futile gestures. Looks like this raid went very well. All credit to CENTCOM, James Mattis, and the other pros in charge. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/70 "2018-04-14T21:15:47Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Apparently Putin didn’t even attempt to use the S-400 system. The Russians didn’t even turn their radars on. My guess is that Putin was warned to stay out of it, and probably that even if he turned his radars on he might find missiles homing in on them. Perhaps he was told when and where so he could move any Russians out. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/71 "2018-04-14T21:24:27Z")
I am surprised that the Pentagon talked about the submarine. I thought they never did. Were there any attacks on Syrian radar? ---
**Author:** ![WillReadmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6f9a4e/32.png) [@WillReadmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillReadmore)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/72 "2018-04-14T21:24:28Z")
So, given that Trump stated we were pulling out of Syria … It might be interesting to hear what our policy will be on Monday, the 20th. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/73 "2018-04-15T05:51:35Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Apparently Putin didn’t even attempt to use the S-400 system. The Russians didn’t even turn their radars on. Another possible reason could be to deny us any opportunity to gather intelligence about the system that could be used to develop counter-measures. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/74 "2018-04-15T06:31:10Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Perhaps he was told when and where so he could move any Russians out. I’m sure that’s the case. The Obama adminstration did the same thing. No one wants to go to war with Russia over Syria. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/75 "2018-04-15T06:32:26Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Another possible reason could be to deny us any opportunity to gather intelligence about the system that could be used to develop counter-measures. Absolutely. And also it would almost certainly have been destroyed, and the system would have taken a hit to its credibility. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/76 "2018-04-15T07:49:52Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Another possible reason could be to deny us any opportunity to gather intelligence about the system that could be used to develop counter-measures. With Turkey buying the S400, you gotta wonder how that’s gonna work. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/77 "2018-04-15T14:33:02Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Another possible reason could be to deny us any opportunity to gather intelligence about the system that could be used to develop counter-measures. Good point. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/78 "2018-04-15T14:38:04Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > With Turkey buying the S400, you gotta wonder how that’s gonna work. Erdogan’s problem once the check clears. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/79 "2018-04-15T15:16:19Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Erdogan’s problem once the check clears. No, I meant that keeping the system’s secrets and selling it to a NATO country would seem to be incompatible. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299/80 "2018-04-15T15:35:46Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > No, I meant that keeping the system’s secrets and selling it to a NATO country would seem to be incompatible. Two thoughts on this: 1. The system being sold is downgraded from the system that Russia keeps for itself. 2. Erdogan is not exactly the best friend to NATO lately. His interest may lie more with Iran and Russia than the US of late, because Kurds. So he is disinclined to share details. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-macron-says-there-is-proof-that-assad-syria-engaged-in-chemical-weapons-attack-what-next/812299.md?page=5)