>>In general, I wish Trump hadn't done it - but if the strike in itself sends a message to Assad/Iran/North Korea, then it succeeds. Though more likely the strike will either have no positive impact, or might backfire.

I was surprised in view of his previous sentiments.

My big question was, why did he (they) pick that particular airfield?

The answer is in released imagery from something overhead, showing an alleged flight path from that airfield with maneuvering over the targeted city during the attacks, before returning to base. It appears that US intelligence has identified this as the source of the Sarin.

The response is a tiny fraction of US firepower targeting this source. We're told that 10% of the Syrian airforce was destroyed though apparently runways are back in use. IMHO if the US wanted to render the airfield unusable, it could have. If the US wanted to prevent Assad's planes flying ever again, it could do that too- but only at the risk of provoking Russia and Iran. Perhaps the best conclusion is that like little bear's porridge, this response was neither too hot not too cold, but just right.

The airfield is important for Assad. According to the MSM, that airfield was used for extensive bombing of rebels and had a big part in turning things to Assad's favor on every front. Assad has this war won.

Which is my next question: with things going so well, suddenly, apparently, he uses Sarin against civilians, then bombs the hospitals where they are treated.

Why? As always: cui bono, who benefits. In this case, it's hawks in the US as well as avowed enemies of the West in Syria who now are emboldened. Even Trump probably enjoys a softening of MSM attitudes towards him with even McCain saying something positive about him. And of course comedians, with wags observing that Trump better watch out or the Russians might vote him out again.

If Assad was thumbing his nose at interfering outsiders and their red lines in the sand, his nose now is bloodied. Meanwhile, is this the beginning of another disastrous US intervention? I don't think so. Assad still has this won, but now it's very clear on both sides that atrocities have consequences and that the US has enough cruise missiles to shoot off 60 without disturbing a nice dinner on a Florida balcony with the Chinese premier.