U.S. Upholds Its Red Line in Syria, While Steering Clear of Russia’s

4/14/18
 
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from The Wall Street Journal,
4/14/18:

Airstrikes were narrowly focused, seeking to cripple chemical-weapons infrastructure without triggering a broader conflict.

In carrying out airstrikes in Syria on Saturday, the U.S. and its allies were trying to maintain a careful balance: upholding their red line against the use of chemical weapons, without crossing Moscow’s red lines against toppling President Bashar al-Assad or targeting Russian forces.

The attack was larger than President Donald Trump’s previous strike against Syria in April 2017. About twice as many bombs were dropped, compared with last year. And this time, the U.S. didn’t go it alone but carried out the attacks along with its British and French allies.

But the attack was narrowly focused, seeking to cripple Mr. Assad’s chemical-weapons infrastructure without triggering a broader conflict with Russia and Iran.

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