The timing of the US missile attack on Syria puzzled me for a couple of days, but there was one news report that cleared it all up for me.

My conclusion is that the timing was irresistibly perfect for President Trump. Seldom do events order themselves to provide a nation's leader with such an inexpensive multi-plussed opportunity to "make points" on a global scale.

First of all, Trump could safely excuse his deployment of missiles against Syria as suitable punishment for the inhumane use of chemical weapons against innocent and defenseless civilians. But that's just for starters. And I wont get into the obvious threat that the missile attack signaled to nations which want to pipe their fuel across Syria to Europe.

During the campaign Trump was making friendly with Russia and was criticized for saying complimentary things about Putin. That changed markedly as soon as he was inaugurated, with critics in political and media circles stirring the investigative broth of secret and unpatriotic dealings with Russia and of Russian efforts to put Trump in the White House.

It's no secret that elements in, and close to, government always have to have some enemies on tap, and despite the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the Soviet Union, the Cold War has never been allowed to thaw. Russia is the convenient, designated enemy---because Russia didn't keel over and let the US take over all of Ukraine. 

AND because Russia and China have been consolidating positions on oil, trade, and gold at an accelerating pace over the past five years.

AND because US designed sanctions against Russia have NOT caused economic collapse of Russia's economy or the demise of the Ruble. 

AND it's especially embarrassing that Russia's central banker lady, Elvira Nabiullina, announced recently that Russia, with its Communist roots, would pay off all its debt over the next six months, while the US, with its Capitalist roots, has hit the $20 Trillion(and counting)debt ceiling which may shut down government.

The prospect of a debt-free Russia must be galling to sanction architects in D.C. at a time when US debt is giving a thumbs down to Trump's plans for wall building and infrastructure restructuring.

AND because Russia has taken the lead in combating ISIS in Syria, and has become a serious rival to the US for influence in the Middle East.

What spelled it all out for me was the gentleness with which Trump handled China's President, Xi Jinping, who was warmly welcomed to Mar-a-Lago. When I read that Trump, who had for months been foaming at the mouth at the mention of China, had not only not been confrontational, but that his summit with President Jinping was cordial and full of optimism for future agreement, it became clear why Trump had hit Syria while China's President was being pampered at Mar-a-Lago.

The thing that Trump needed to do --particularly after all the stink about Trump's campaign relationships with Russians--it to erase that embarrassment. But, to be able to do that, and to drive a wedge between Russia and China at the same time would be a DOUBLE Whammy of political good fortune. Trump could, with only five dozen missiles, discipline an independent-minded dictator and kick some Russian butt, while the Chinese Leader was living it up in Trumpian luxury at Mar-a-Lago. Politicians dream about such scenarios!.

The missile attack reasserted US authority in the Middle East...so, make that a TRIPLE Whammy!

The decision resulted in Trump's most hardened critics in the media praising him as Presidential. Make that a QUADRUPLE Whammy!

Over in Asia, who's watching all these US missiles flying? Why Kim Jung-un, supreme Leader of North Korea, who's been breathing hellfire threats at the US! So, make that a QUINTUPLE Whammy!

Congress, snapping, snarling, and refusing to cooperate with Trump, the Usurper, has, in a flash found a President to praise. Make that a

SEXTUPLE Whammy!

Wars get started for the flimsiest of reasons. If war's hell breaks loose between the US and North Korea or nations in the Middle East, we can be sure they have more missiles than Syria. And, we'd better hope we have more anti-missiles than they have missiles. But, for now, Trump has found the right enemies. Healthcare, walls, tax reform, jobs, and infrastructure may get pushed to the back burner, but Trump has taken a forceful step that, in the eyes of many, either starts making America great...or at least the Global Policeman...again.