This incident was a major disappointment. And remember that the attacks comes at a time, when the SAA is making rapid advances against the ISIS. Now the momentum will shift towards the Islamists.
If the Russians raised the cry for this reason that to me is a sign that Trump did the right thing. I am not a Trump supporter, but this is the first act of his presidency that I support. The Russians have said that this attack was destroyed about 40 aircraft of the Syrian army. The Americans have shown that the best missile system of Russia's s-400 is not running. He did not help the Assad. It is a fake.
Then you are part of the dimwits, that this grand show was orchestrated for.
S-400 were not running, yes. They were not running because United States warned Russia beforehand when and where it is going to strike giving both Russian and Syrian essential personel time to leave the area. The airport was fully reinstated in less than 48 hours.
Trump needed to demonstrate strength before libtard audience in western Europe, domestic warhawks and middle eastern Saudi allies, that were quite disheartened by weakness of Obama administration. He needed to do that in a way, that would not resemble Bush jr., not starting another war without end.
Does it mean, it was an empty gesture? Not at all.
- United States actually broke out of grindlock put in place two years ago by war hawks, when Russia first proposed post-war peace plan for Syria. Plan suggested mutual responsibility over the country with east being governed by Kurds (US) and west by Damascus (now reliant on Moscow). That plan now can move forward.
- Western libtards are fuming with joy as fireworks made their "human rights" cocks go placid, giving Trump administration breathing room. Approval rates of new president are rapidly rising.
- Russia, in spite of needed posturing now knows, that Trump is rational man in oval office. When you do deals, you want to make them with rational people.
- Kurds will have far stronger position in future.
- Airstrike also diverted attention from rapidly growing civilian casualties in west-backed siege of Mosul.
- Syrian government was reminded that its existence is reliant on benevolence of Moscow, making situation on the ground more in control.
You were Trumped. For your own benefit.
EDIT:
I didn't believed that Trump really can do that. But he had to react somehow to that, was happened in Syria. And bombing I think is better reaction than strong words, sanctions and etc. I'm don't sure that it can help to stop war in Syria, but at least, maybe Al Asad will avoid to use chemical weapons. I'm hope that Al Asad will be judged in Hague Tribunal.
And it's fun to see how Russians started to change their opinion about Trump - from friend to enemy.
It's really fun, but look at it this way. Trump warned the Russians about the upcoming bombing, special damage is not visible. Maybe it's Putin's game? So Trump is trying to divert suspicion from himself in relations with the Russian? Is this option not possible?
If Trump was pro-Russian the same way Hillary was pro Saudi Arab, then he would just leave all of Syria to Assad, which is the way Americans were doing things during Obama. As you can see, the diplomacy merely entered another round and United States are not leaving Kurds out.
Only real defeated people here are Turks, Saudis and another beneficiaries of Islamists and Al-Qaeda. Space for their manuevering is rapidly dwindling and nothing short of full ground invasion by turkish military can save jihadists.