ANALYSIS

Trump latest president to use force on the enemy

US MISSILE strikes against the Syrian airbase surprised many – including the US state department.

After condemning the previous administration for meddling in foreign conflicts, Trump has changed his tune. But why – and what happens next?

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley gave the first hint as she brought forth photos of children killed by chemical weapons.

Certainly the president was influenced by the photos and this is not the first time emotive images have led to an intervention – George Bush ordered the US military into Somalia in 1992 after seeing pictures of children starving.

Trump is prone to quick decisionmaking and, as can be seen in his tweets, anger plays an important role in motivating him to act. But we should not explain this decision purely on the basis of personality.

US interventions have, over time, shown a strong punitive ethos.

And making America great again surely includes showing everyone how good it is.

What happens next? This single strike will slow down attacks for a short time but will not solve the problem. In fact, it will undoubtedly make things worse, as the Russians gear up to defend Assad and Israel may well be pulled in.

Military actions that arise from bursts of anger and punish the bad guys might make Americans and others feel good in the short term.

But they will not help Syria move toward a resolution of its long and bloody conflict.