The Syrian civil war is one of modernity’s most complex geopolitical conflicts, with local, regional, and world powers all vying to exert influence, and with goals and positions that have often been in opposition to the sides they have supported.
The murky, half-decade long strife is not something that can be easily digested, and it is in no way something that can be explained and resolved in 140 characters.
But back at the onset of the conflict, that didn’t stop our current president from offering plenty of his insights and ideas.
A lot can change in four years—predominantly, having the power and authority to act as president instead of as a private citizen—but suffice it to say, Donald Trump‘s stance on Syria leading up to yesterday’s strike was starkly different from what it is now.
For starters, he appears to be under the impression that we were once militarily engaged with Syria in the same way we were with Iraq.
We should have gotten more of the oil in Syria, and we should have gotten more of the oil in Iraq. Dumb leaders.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2012
Which…no.
But he also said later that we should not be involved in Syria.
Obama wants to unilaterally put a no-fly zone in Syria to protect Al Qaeda Islamists http://t.co/DCgP83Oxas Syria is NOT our problem.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2013
“Not our problem” was a position also espoused by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson just days before Syrian president Bashar al-Assad launched a chlorine gas attack against his own people, which killed 80.
In the summer of 2013, as the conflict continued to escalate, Trump continued to rail for the U.S. to stay out of it.
We should stay the hell out of Syria, the “rebels” are just as bad as the current regime. WHAT WILL WE GET FOR OUR LIVES AND $ BILLIONS?ZERO
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2013
As noted by others, the approximate cost of a 59 cruise missile strike is somewhere around $50-70 million, making this strike a not insignificant use of American resources. Trump, who has repeatedly said that our allies do not pay their fair share for military support, believed the Arab League should pay for the cost of intervention in Syria.
Let the Arab League take care of Syria. Why are these rich Arab countries not paying us for the tremendous cost of such an attack?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
Trump also made bold claims about how—if he would attack Syria, which he said he wouldn’t—he would do it differently.
Why do we keep broadcasting when we are going to attack Syria. Why can’t we just be quiet and, if we attack at all, catch them by surprise?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
@walaa_3ssaf No, dopey, I would not go into Syria, but if I did it would be by surprise and not blurted all over the media like fools.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
If we are going to continue to be stupid and go into Syria (watch Russia), as they say in the movies, SHOOT FIRST AND TALK LATER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
For Thursday’s strike, U.S. forces did alert Russians at the base that a strike was imminent in an effort to minimize damage to personnel.
However, Trump has routinely stated that he would not give advance notification of his war plans, because, in his own words, a president who did that would be “stupid.”
“@voicelikeariot_: @realDonaldTrump “@washingtonpost: Why Obama is giving up the element of surprise in Syria” Perhaps because he is stupid?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
Syria has prepared for an attack based on all of our “talk” – they have moved targeted ammunition and supplies to new locations.Amazing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2013
But the realities of war and international relations, as well as a concern for general human rights, dictate you can’t do that.
People are also pointing to Trump’s 2013 stance that intervention in Syria should require congressional approval.
What will we get for bombing Syria besides more debt and a possible long term conflict? Obama needs Congressional approval.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 29, 2013
The president does not require the approval of Congress to launch a military strike, as Trump showed just yesterday. He does need to inform them of military actions with 48 hours, which he did.
He also claimed that any involvement that causes the death of civilians would reflect poorly on America, a position he since changed when he began running for office in earnest.
If Obama attacks Syria and innocent civilians are hurt and killed, he and the U.S. will look very bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 30, 2013
If the U.S. attacks Syria and hits the wrong targets, killing civilians, there will be worldwide hell to pay. Stay away and fix broken U.S.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2013
Initial reports from Syrian news do indicate that some civilians were killed, and reports say that over 1,000 civilians have been killed since Trump took office.
Trump also said that our government should fix healthcare and pass a budget before striking Syria.
.@GOP must stay focused on defunding ObamaCare and the impending budget battle. Don’t let Syria rule the agenda.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2013
Those things, uhhh, did not happen with Trump in office.
That said, there is one consistent stance Trump has had: Regardless of what happens in Syria, we should not take their refugees.
Refugees from Syria are now pouring into our great country. Who knows who they are – some could be ISIS. Is our president insane?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2015
Although he’s had some trouble doing that, too.
Still, throughout 2013, Trump was stridently against any involvement.
President Obama, do not attack Syria. There is no upside and tremendous downside. Save your “powder” for another (and more important) day!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2013
AGAIN, TO OUR VERY FOOLISH LEADER, DO NOT ATTACK SYRIA – IF YOU DO MANY VERY BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN & FROM THAT FIGHT THE U.S. GETS NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2013
What I am saying is stay out of Syria.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2013
Anyhoots, whatever happens, we’ll always have this.
Be prepared, there is a small chance that our horrendous leadership could unknowingly lead us into World War III.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2013
Hopefully, he got that one wrong too.
