From Vox, Alex Ward on the US bombing of Syria, explained in 400 words; and what happens next? The U.S. just bombed 3 sites in Syria — here’s what we know about why nations choose airstrikes (and more). “The reaction to the Syria strike shows that the American foreign policy establishment loves war more than they hate Trump”. Jack Goldsmith and Oona Hathaway on bad legal arguments for the Syria airstrikes. Why does international law even matter? The U.S. has accepted only 11 Syrian refugees this year. Justin Weinberg on Syria and misconceptions about philosophy.
Was Trump “wagging the dog” with strikes in Syria? Neither precise nor proportionate: Trump’s attack on Syria was unserious but intended to relieve emotional pressure — and in many ways, worse than doing nothing at all. Unfit to command: With the president in an agitated state, preoccupied with his legal troubles, this is no time for war. Donald Trump cannot do his job as commander-in-chief — he must resign. Jonathan Spyer on the great distraction of punitive airstrikes. John Bolton: Syria is a “sideshow” — the real threat comes from Iran. If we’re on the brink of war, the fault is ours, not Trump’s or Bolton’s.
