Geopolitical tension intensified between the United States and Russia as the United States attacked the Assad regime by launching 59 tomahawk cruise missiles targeting airports in response to an alleged chemical weapon attack by the Assad regime. This week, the Assad regime reportedly used chemical weapons that claimed the life of 80 people including women and children in the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province. Speaking at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach Florida, President Trump confirmed the ordering of the missile launches. He said, “I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched…..It is in the vital national security interest of the US to prevent and deter the spread or use of deadly chemical weapons.” US missile attack reportedly destroyed 14 Syrian jets and destroyed much of the air facility in the area. Pro-government journalists in Syria have warned that actions like these will only boost the morale of the terrorists.

This action taken by the Trump administration puts it in direct conflict with Russia, who gave a different narrative of the situation. According to Russia, the Syrian government attacked a rebel-held arms depot in the area, which contained the chemical weapon; Sarin nerve agent.

The US Secretary of State warned against reading too much into the attack as according to him, the stance of the current administration is Syria remains unchanged and he insisted that the missile attacks only show that the President is willing to take decisive actions when called for.

While most of the US lawmakers lauded the President’s action, some still remain skeptical and feel that it is plausible that the Russian narrative could be true. Prominent senators like Rand Paul, Ted Lieu condemned the President’s action as he did not seek congressional approval before the attack. Senator Thomas Massie said that it was not in the interest of the Assad regime to use chemical weapons and believes that the Russian narration might be true.

Russia had already warned the United States on military actions against Assad regime saying that it will have negative consequences. Next few weeks would see a flurry of activities on this front and the attack has triggered a lot of uncertainties.