'Not on my watch' says Donald Trump

Last week's developments in the Syrian quagmire raised a very important question. Is the international community finally coming to terms with the view that a new political - and perhaps military - strategy is needed to plant the roots for lasting peace in Syria?

Reports from Khan Shaykhun in Syria's Idlib province last Tuesday stated the death of 86 persons, 26 of them children, because of what many have suggested to be a substantial chemical weapons attack apparently involving sarin gas. As a result, President Donald Trump instructed the U.S. military to retaliate boldly with Tomahawk missiles, targeting the Al-Shairat airbase in Homs.

Russia condemned the U.S. strikes, calling the event a "show of force" and carrying the issue to the U.N. Security Council. Russia's argument was based on the conclusion that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reached three years ago, that the Syrian regime does not have chemical weapons. Russia further claimed that the rebel forces in Idlib produced toxic land mines and the Syrian air force attacked that production facility.

The U.S. strikes shake the tacit understanding between Russia and the United States reached in Syria in combat against ISIS terrorism. Pentagon has stated that the Russian side was appropriately informed before the strikes took place. Obviously, Russian assets in and around the Al-Shairat airbase have not been damaged. In spite of that, however, Russia suspended the Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention of Flight Safety Incidents signed with the U.S. which was an essential instrument for the conduct of complex operations in Syria. This situation is dangerous and risks a possible escalation of tension.

The use of chemical weapons has been called...