Here's why Trump taking Assad out won't help fix the Syrian issue

Once again, Syrian President Bashir Al-Assad is accused of using chemical weapons against his own people. Reports from multiple sources detail the attack, which appears incontestable despite Russian denials.

The Trump administration has responded by whiplashing from their stated position that American troops would be withdrawn soon to promising retaliation. Trump told reporters at the White House on April 9 that the US “cannot allow atrocities like that.”

Trump is now promising a “major decision” soon.

Last year at this time, military strikes in response to a Syrian chemical attack had little discernible effect. The targeted airfield was back in operation within 24 hours of the attack. This time, four things are likely to make the situation even more dire.

First, the ineffectiveness of last year’s strikes demands a stronger response now - a classic trap of warfare, which pushes belligerents into ever-increasing escalation.