Changes

* Dooley, Erin (April 8, 2017). [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-defends-decision-hit-runway-syrian-airbase/story?id=46677805 Trump defends decision not to hit runway on Syrian air base]. ''ABC News''. Retrieved April 9, 2017.</ref> Defense Secretary [[James Mattis]] stated the attacks destroyed 20% of Syria's operational aircraft.<ref>Multiple references:

* Dooley, Erin (April 8, 2017). [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-defends-decision-hit-runway-syrian-airbase/story?id=46677805 Trump defends decision not to hit runway on Syrian air base]. ''ABC News''. Retrieved April 9, 2017.</ref> Defense Secretary [[James Mattis]] stated the attacks destroyed 20% of Syria's operational aircraft.<ref>Multiple references:

* Moore, Mark (April 10, 2017). [http://nypost.com/2017/04/10/mattis-says-us-strike-destroyed-large-number-of-syrian-military-aircraft/ Mattis says US strike destroyed large number of Syrian military aircraft]. ''New York Post''. Retrieved April 10, 2017.

* Moore, Mark (April 10, 2017). [http://nypost.com/2017/04/10/mattis-says-us-strike-destroyed-large-number-of-syrian-military-aircraft/ Mattis says US strike destroyed large number of Syrian military aircraft]. ''New York Post''. Retrieved April 10, 2017.

* Lehman, Charles Fain (April 10, 2017). [http://freebeacon.com/national-security/mattis-20-percent-syrias-aircraft-damaged-destroyed-u-s-strikes/ Mattis: 20 Percent Of Syria’s Operational Aircraft Damaged or Destroyed in U.S. Strikes]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved April 10, 2017.</ref> As even the ''New York Times'' reported, Trump's action was a show of U.S. strength, and it was in stark contrast to Obama, as Trump used surprise and speed in the attacks.<ref>Gordon, Michael R.; Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D. (April 6, 2017). [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/world/middleeast/us-said-to-weigh-military-responses-to-syrian-chemical-attack.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news Dozens of U.S. Missiles Hit Air Base in Syria]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> World leaders supported the strong action.<ref>Multiple references:

* Lehman, Charles Fain (April 10, 2017). [http://freebeacon.com/national-security/mattis-20-percent-syrias-aircraft-damaged-destroyed-u-s-strikes/ Mattis: 20 Percent Of Syria’s Operational Aircraft Damaged or Destroyed in U.S. Strikes]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved April 10, 2017.</ref> As even the ''New York Times'' reported, Trump's action was a show of U.S. strength, and it was in stark contrast to Obama, as Trump used surprise and speed in the attacks.<ref>Gordon, Michael R.; Cooper, Helene; Shear, Michael D. (April 6, 2017). [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/06/world/middleeast/us-said-to-weigh-military-responses-to-syrian-chemical-attack.html Dozens of U.S. Missiles Hit Air Base in Syria]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> World leaders supported the strong action.<ref>Multiple references:

* Williams, Thomas D., Ph.D. (April 7, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/04/07/world-leaders-praise-u-s-strike-on-syria-proportionate-appropriate/ World Leaders Praise U.S. Strike on Syria, ‘Proportionate, Appropriate’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.

* Williams, Thomas D., Ph.D. (April 7, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/04/07/world-leaders-praise-u-s-strike-on-syria-proportionate-appropriate/ World Leaders Praise U.S. Strike on Syria, ‘Proportionate, Appropriate’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.

* [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/07/syria-airstrikes-international-community-reacts-to-us-bombing-airfield.html Syria strikes: International community reacts to US bombing of airfield]. ''Fox News''. April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> This was the first direct military action the U.S. took against the [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]] regime.<ref>Ackerman, Spencer; Pilkington, Ed; Jacobs, Ben; Borger, Julian (April 7, 2017). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/06/trump-syria-missiles-assad-chemical-weapons Syria missile strikes: US launches first direct military action against Assad]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> On April 23, 2017, in response to the chemical attacks, the Trump Administration put sanctions on 271 employees of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center, which supported the nation's chemical weapons program.<ref>Starr, Penny (April 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/24/winning-trump-follows-up-bombing-of-assads-military-assets-with-tough-diplomacy-271-new-sanctions-for-syria/ Trump Admin Unloads Block of 271 Sanctions on Assad Regime for Chemical Weapons Attack]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref> On June 18, 2017, the United States shot down a Syrian aircraft for the first time,<ref>Multiple references:

* [http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/07/syria-airstrikes-international-community-reacts-to-us-bombing-airfield.html Syria strikes: International community reacts to US bombing of airfield]. ''Fox News''. April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> This was the first direct military action the U.S. took against the [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]] regime.<ref>Ackerman, Spencer; Pilkington, Ed; Jacobs, Ben; Borger, Julian (April 7, 2017). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/06/trump-syria-missiles-assad-chemical-weapons Syria missile strikes: US launches first direct military action against Assad]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 7, 2017.</ref> On April 23, 2017, in response to the chemical attacks, the Trump Administration put sanctions on 271 employees of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center, which supported the nation's chemical weapons program.<ref>Starr, Penny (April 24, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/24/winning-trump-follows-up-bombing-of-assads-military-assets-with-tough-diplomacy-271-new-sanctions-for-syria/ Trump Admin Unloads Block of 271 Sanctions on Assad Regime for Chemical Weapons Attack]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 25, 2017.</ref> On June 18, 2017, the United States shot down a Syrian aircraft for the first time,<ref>Multiple references: