Trump’s strike against Syria seems to have been restrained, limited, and carefully targeted. How effective it was remains to be seen, but as in any military operation, that aspect is the one least within our control, and the one hardest to assess.

I, personally, would have favored a more robust and vigorous reaction, but that’s just my style. Trump’s raid was more in line with recent American policy, and more representative of the behavior we wish to project to the rest of the world. On the whole, I support the action.

We have maintained the precedent that NBC weapons use is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, and that we and our allies will be ready to back that up again. Perhaps the action was mainly symbolic, but that also works both ways. The Russians and Iranians (and the rest of the world) know they don’t get to veto what we do, and next time, their actions will demand additional thought and uncertainty. And if symbolism is what’s required, we have demonstrated that there isn’t a damned thing they can do to stop us.

I think Trump got this one right.