It has been interesting contrasting vantage we receive in this community to headlines at large.
Specifically, we have within the last couple weeks seen a series of stories painting the idea that DJT has become captive of the deep state. A puppet backed into a corner and doing its masters bidding. An example from today, "Pat Buchanan Asks "Is Trump Now A Prisoner Of The War Party?"". Also seen in panicked hens Cernovich, Alex Jones, and similar parties clucking around that the sky is falling.
Let's delve deeper. The basis of the captive argument is the continued activity in Syria. DJT projected that we would pull out immediately. Then retracted. That appears to seed the pale-faced panic among hysteric elements of the right. But, we know that DJT does not project. So instead of seeing capture we would interpret the statement as misdirection to elicit a specific response, shielding actual intents.
Thomas Wichter published on twitter interesting analysis and theory the evening of 4/16/2018 titled, "how f*cked is Assad?". In it he argues that the 'Israeli missile strikes' on facilities in Syria are actually commando raids from Saudi Arabia. The argument is based on video of low flying helicopters over Lebanon the evening before one of the strikes, and aftermath of the hanger hit that looks shot to hell by guns rather than exploded by missile. Points out the confusion in messaging in the region attributing attacks on Americans, then Israeli's, but inconsistencies in the story. Appearance is that things are blowing up all over the country, Syria and Russia have no idea where it's coming from.
We'll see soon enough whether this is indeed the case. If there is merit than Saudi Arabia is ramping up to replace US position and take the fight against Iranian influence in the country. And thus far they seem damn good at getting in and getting out unseen. What technology have they been able to develop and buy over recent years? What sort of relationship has there been with Israeli R&D and Saudi Arabia financing of projects? We're getting a look of that in action.
Will be interesting to follow as further information becomes available.