Are Things Breaking Down In Syria?

There's a bad sign regarding Syria.  The US State Department issued a statement yesterday saying that America would take firm and appropriate measures in response to Syrian government violations in the de-escalation zone in the southwest of the country.  The de-escalation zone was established by the USA and Russia in a corner of Syria so that refugees would have a safe place to go.  Since then, over a million people have made their way to this region and now live there with the original inhabitants.  There has been relative calm in the region.  Now, the Assad government is starting to launch attacks against the rebels in the area.

The real question is whether or not Assad would do this without a blessing from Russia.  It seems doubtful that would happen, but one never knows with Assad.  He may feel that he has to get rid of all the rebels now that he has them on the run.  If American military forces retaliate against the Assad forces, however, it would be an incredibly stupid move by the Assad regime to try to move in the de-escalation zone.  And knowing how President Trump operates in these sorts of situations, it seems likely that the State Department statement signals that there will be such a response if Assad continues.  Gone are the days of Obama when all that ever happened were the statements with no action to follow.