The World Socialist Web Site published a report says The United States and NATO are on the brink of a major escalation of the war in Syria, which could lead to a direct clash with nuclear-armed Russia.
The potential consequences of a war against Syria are massive. Last month, Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov vowed to retaliate against any attack on Russian troops in Syria, declaring, “In the event of a threat to the lives of our servicemen, Russia’s armed forces will take retaliatory measures against the missiles and launchers used” according to the World Socialist.
On Monday, Gerasimov again warned, “We have to say once again that military interference in Syria…is absolutely unacceptable and can lead to very grave consequences.” Such statements underscore just how close the world is to war between nuclear-armed powers, threatening the lives of millions of people and human civilization itself, the report says.
The pretext for the expected strike by the US is the chemical attack on Douma that has been carried out by the Syrian government forces.
Trump has issued a series of tweets that proclaim the Syrian government guilty of “horrendous” crimes, charging Russia and Iran with complicity and promising that those responsible will pay a “big price.”
The World Socialist said that US media, military-intelligence apparatus and political establishment are baying for blood, as Republican Senator John McCain blamed Trump’s “inaction” in Syria for “emboldening” Washington’s enemies, and Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Party leader in the House of Representatives, signaled her support for military action against Syria while demanding that the Trump administration “finally provide a smart, strong and consistent strategy” to overthrow the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
France and Britain have said they will join the US attack in Syria, if invited, or even mount their own strikes. The New York Times cited a Trump administration official as saying that Washington is feeling pressure to hasten an American attack on Syria “lest French President Emanuel Macron do so first.”