Syria: ruthless business as usual
The joint US-UK-French strikes on chemicals targets in Syria won’t affect the war—but they could damage Trump's image in the region
The Gulf Cooperation Council states applauded when the authorities in Washington, London and Paris agreed on coordinated air and missiles strikes on Syria. But the applause was polite rather than enthusiastic. For while there was relief that the three Western nations had taken military action against the Bashar al-Assad regime, there was disappointment that the strikes were merely a very limited, one-off operation. This was underlined by Donald Trump's "Mission accomplished" Tweet, barely hours after the action was over. In other words, the attacks on the alleged chemicals weapons sites didn't reassure these countries that the American president and his allies have come up with any longer-te
Also in this section
10 June 2025
The bloc may find it very difficult to replicate Japan’s approach due to fundamental differences in policy and the markets
10 June 2025
Scapegoating foreign buyers will not solve country’s gas shortages
10 June 2025
US gasoline consumption is at its high level since before COVID, but while stocks remain healthy, the hurricane season threatens
10 June 2025
There has been a flourishing of non-governmental initiatives aimed at incentivising voluntary action on emissions over the past five years, and momentum is not slowing down.
