PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TRIP AND THE SUNNI/SHIA DYNAMIC IN THE MIDDLE EAST: Tom Draude

Tom Draude
BGen USMC (ret)

Tom Draude, BGen USMC (ret), joins us to discuss the effect of President Trump’s visit to the Middle East on the Sunni – Shia dynamic in the region, a region that will continue to see upheaval as ISIL is defeated in the region and the fate of Syrian Leader Bashar al Assad is determined.

THE WEAPONS EXPLAINER — WHY USE TOMAHAWKS: Curt Knowles

Curt Knowles
LtCol USMC (ret)

Curt Knowles, LtCol USMC (ret), and F18 pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan veteran joined the program to discuss factors taken into account when planning a response to Syrian use of nerve gas.

What does the Russian air defense mean to U.S. planners?  How did the nature of the target influence the choice of a strike package?  Curt helps us understand.

SYRIA TOMAHAWK STRIKE — STRATEGY QUESTIONS: John Allen, General USMC (ret)

John R. Allen
General USMC (Ret)
Brookings Institute

John R. Allen
General USMC (ret)

General John Allen, USMC (ret), joined ALL MARINE RADIO to discuss American actions in Syria and what those actions may signal for the future.

Allen discusses the need for a coherent strategy for the two problems in Syria: (1) President Bashar al-Assad’s removal and (2) ISIL which as eluded the United States for the last eight years.

Allen comments on an interesting point relative to the Syrian strike — the “information operations” aspect as Russia, Iran, China and North Korea take in the actions of the Trump Administration.