So it’s “mission accomplished” in Syria, says Pr*sident Trump. Coded into that statement is the implication that we-showed-Assad-and-the-Russians-who’s-boss. This is no doubt particularly gratifying to a certain cohort of Trump’s supporters who love the image of America as tough guy. Some observers might call it partisan cynicism to assume the real mission of the attack and its timing was the burnishing of Trump’s own image and getting headlines about his consigliere Michael Cohen and former FBI director James Comey’s new book off the front pages. But what of the actually stated mission?
The limited nature of the strikes left some observers underwhelmed.
“If this is it, Assad should be relieved,” tweeted Randa Slim, an analyst at the Middle East Institute.
What was actually accomplished on the ground remains to be seen. The pictures show exploded buildings that we are told were, until early this morning Syrian time, the core of the Assad regime’s alleged chemical weapons infrastructure. The attack on a trio of targets may, according to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Staff, set back the Syrian chemical weapons program by “years,” though he conceded Assad could still use chemical weapons at some future time.
All without taking out a school or a hospital. All without losing any American military personnel. All without provoking a response from Russia. But also without doing anything even marginally to end the far more common atrocities committed in this civil war that has left half a million Syrians dead, millions in exile abroad and displaced within the country, and uncounted numbers maimed and psychologically traumatized.
The Department of Defense says the U.S., France, and the UK fired 105 weapons at the three chosen targets. Sixty-six of those were Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from ships and 19 were JASSM-ER cruise missiles launched from B-1 bombers. Depending on the source and the particular model, each of those 85 missiles is said to cost about $1.4 million. So, for those missiles alone, $119 million was just spent on what some observers view as little more than a fireworks show.
There’s this famous American city—Flint, Michigan. Perhaps you’ve heard they have a bit of a problem with their aged water system dumping lead into the bloodstreams of a portion of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The mayor of Flint estimates that it would cost $55 million to remove and replace all the lead pipes in that system. A lot of money for that financially beleaguered city. But apparently a pittance when the mission is image-polishing.