Russia warns of 'consequences' for US-led strike on Syria
Javier E. David| @TeflonGeek
Saturday April 14, 2018
Russian President and Presidential candidate Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a rally and concert marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's annexation of the Crimea region, at Manezhnaya Square in central Moscow, Russia March 18, 2018. - Alexander Zemlianichenko | POOL | Reuters
In a statement released on Twitter, Russia's ambassador to the U.S. said the country was being "threatened," and issued an ominous warning that reprisals could follow.
In the near term, the military strike appeared to ramp up a searing war of words between Washington and Moscow, which regarded the action as a attack on Russia itself.
Trump has singled out Russian President Vladimir Putin for his support of Assad, as well as Iran. In his speech announcing military action in Syria, Trump pointedly asked: "What kind of a nation wants to be associated with the mass murder of innocent men, women, and children?"
Since 2011, the Assad government has been locked in a deadly and protracted conflict with resistance fighters, and elements of ISIS, and has been backed by Russian forces.
The strikes were "quite measured, the administration wants to mete out punishment" without getting embroiled in a long-term conflict, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Noting that Trump extended "an olive branch" to both Russia and Iran in his speech, Taleblu added that "the question for the US and the coalition is how long are they prepared to sustain this," he asked.
"Fundamentally the U.S. is going to have to prove does it have a goal in Syria," and that it has an endgame in mind, Taleblu added.
Russia warns of 'consequences' for US-led strike on Syria
Russia responded angrily to a U.S.-led strike against Syria on Friday, warning of unspecified "consequences" that stoked fears the conflict could escalate. President Donald Trump ordered targeted military action in the country, following