Trump U-turn for Syria attack hardly inspires confidence

acted with impunity, killing thousands of his people as civil war rages on.

And for too long America failed to act with Barack Obama promising action, only to pull away despite “the red line” being crossed.

The Syrian leader needed to understand there would eventually be a cost to his brutality, in this case, it was the use of the banned nerve agent sarin, which killed more than 80 civilians.

However, Trump’s Tomahawk missile assault and the statements made by his UN Ambassador Nikki Haley committing America to a position of moral leadership against the Assad regime, were breathtaking.

Within 48 hours the President had turned the position he had long held on Syria on its head with so much speed it was jarring.

Trump previously lambasted his predecessor Obama, saying it was wrong to involve the States in the Middle East conflict. Before coming to office the Twitter-loving President had said: “If Obama attacks Syria and innocent civilians are hurt and killed, he and the US will look very bad,” before adding “Don’t attack Syria – an attack that will bring nothing but trouble for the US.”

As to answering Assad’s use of chemical weapons with an American military response, Trump was strenuously against that too.

A sarin attack four years ago that killed an estimated 1,000 people left him unfazed.

Despite the carnage, he said, “the President must get Congressional approval before attacking Syria”.

To clarify, he added: “What I am saying is stay out of Syria.”

His position had not faltered since he was sworn in in January, repeatedly warning against military intervention in the Middle East and refusing to open America’s doors to the refugee victims of Assad’s brutality. All of them, even the children, were potential security threats, the President insisted.

But last week Trump completed an incredible U-turn after it appeared his daughter Ivanka’s outrage forced a change of heart.

Trump explained the shift by saying he had been deeply moved by footage of child victims gasping for breath. However sincere this sentiment, the spectacle of Trump reversing course on war and peace by way of emotion or what his defenders describe as “instinct” fails to inspire confidence.

His airstrike was understandably backed by many foreign leaders, including Prime Minister Theresa May. But before the States digs itself deeper into a conflict with Assad and his Russian supporter Putin, it is imperative the President explains America’s objectives and wider strategy in the region.

Having learned hard lessons from wars in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan, Americans – as does the world – need to be convinced he has clear and defensible objectives.

History shows that one-off military strikes achieve little.

Whether this one has given Trump any leverage to press Russia for a diplomatic solution only time will tell.

But with world peace as stake, such risks are ones Trump should simply not take on his own.

Trump previously lambasted his predecessor Obama, saying it was wrong to involve the States in Middle East conflict