And the missiles have been launched ..

[Coldwaragain]

Oh crap.

Not impressed.

I've not allowed myself go get worked up over all of this, but after reading this morning, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious :(

It is a gesture, according to somebody talking on Radio 4

A 'gesture' -

a gesture ?

Let's hope it stays that way and doesn't become the start of even more serious shit.

Russia says it won’t be without consequences. What is going to happen and what is the matter with France? I thought they had more sense.

Very worrying times. Who needs terrorists when we are well on our way to WW3 and killing each other.

France will be doing it for political reasons, perhaps something to do with brexit and showing that they can be part of something other than the EU but that's a whole other kettle of fish.

Now we made life worse for Syrians, and ISIS will launch more attacks over here.

A gesture radio 4?? Scary

Yes, Isis will come over here more now. But the Syria action is a real vote winner so increased terrorist activity is an acceptable side effect which gives more chance to show off about how we can beat the evil terrorists.

Do excuse me while I try and get my cynicism under control, it's running away with itself this morning.

So what is the alternative?

Just to allow any old regime all over the world to launch chemical attacks against babies and children?

From now on anyone is fair game to be killed at any moment?

Is that the kind of world you envisage in the future?

It is a very dangerous precedent to launch chemical weapons against your own people and requires a proper response.

I would be more worried if the states sat back and did nothing (as Obama did)

Assad forces have killed thousands of its citizens using bombs and the west has stood back and have taken no action. Why should only the use of chemical weapons prompt threats and intervention by Trump and May. The method of how people are injured and killed should not make a difference.

The missile strikes on Syria for one night only by western allies is a grand gesture by Trump and May and won’t stop the deaths.

I'm worried.

But the worst reason i've heard so far for NOT joining in is because 'ISIS will perform more attacks here'.

Whatever my reasons are for or against it, it wont be because i feel held to ransom by bloody ISIS!

turn a blind eye to the gassing of civilians? this sounds as if it might have happened before somewhere in the not too distant past...

France is involved because Syria is part of its traditional sphere of influence.

The US is involved because it suits Trump to make Russia look like his enemy to undermine accusations that his election campaign colluded with Russia.

We are involved because we always want to be the US's BFF.

Bombing empty buildings in a war torn Syria won't stop gassing or poisoning door handles.

Well Trump clicked his fingers and Theresa jumped, there’s a surprise.

The West turn a blind eye, indeed trade, supply goods and weapons to many sides in some pretty terrible wars and genocides, foremost is Burma, CAR in Africa, ignore HR abuses in China and Saudi, all happening right now.
& all very much in contravention of various UN charters.

I guess the difference is here is it gives a chance to bash Russia and Iran.
Trump, Macron and May all have domestic political problems, so a nice distraction.

I'm really not sure what else can be done... Talking /negotiating doesn't seem to work. They're happy to poison and bomb their own people.

Russia walks freely into the UK and poisons people which make us look like mugs.

I think that we have to remember that as big and mighty as Russia is, they don't want a full blown war either. Nor do they want the isolation of a Cold War which stops them making any money through trade and their oligarchs abroad would be kicked out.

It's a disgusting and bloody poker game.

ISIS are so much weaker than they were 2 years ago. They've lost almost all their territory, their leaders are dead, and the fighters are in jail waiting to be tried in Iraq.

If there are attacks here, they will be lone wolf ones, not ones systematically planned and executed by ISIS.

Plus, Assad has used chemical weapons to slaughter his own citizens? Do you think we should stand by and do nothing?

I support the strike. I hope they hit their targets. The world should intervene in Syria

I think the West stood back for years as long as it didn't impact them personally. While doing so, Russia as Assad's ally has become quite powerful and started to intrude on other nations. I think if the Skipal poisoning incident in Salisbury didn't happen then Britain wouldn't have joined in so quickly. Governments are now realising that Russia is no longer a sleeping bear & Putin has no qualms about sending hit squads to their countries. This Syrian strike is a way to clip Russia's wings at the same time as damaging Assad's forces.

If I lived in Syria I would be thanking god for intervention. At last.

Should we really just ignore chemical attacks?

And as for the threat of Isis, that is a shitty reason for doing nothing. As someone else said, we should not be held to ransom by them.