Ever since approximately 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles detonated at the Shayrat airbase near Homs, a Syrian government installation that reportedly was the launch site for the chemical attack in Khan Shaykhun that has left at least 72 civilians (including large numbers of women and children) dead, the debate is back on about the United States’ role in the Syrian conflict. The Pentagon released the following statement last night:

“A total of 59 (Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles) targeted aircraft, hardened aircraft shelters, petroleum and logistical storage, ammunition supply bunkers, air defense systems, and radars.”

As much as I have had serious questions about the logic behind the current administration’s foreign policy, I cautiously support this action – with caveats.

1- The use of chemical weapons against civilian populations is both illegal and extraordinarily immoral. I believe it is the right thing to do to show that extralegal actions have consequences, up to and including military action. Those who transgress against the laws of warfare, that have existed since the inception of Geneva Convention of 1949, deserve to see actions taken against them.

2- That said, at this time I would not support anything more than a limited, retaliatory bombing campaign against the Assad regime. It would be justified to show the world that the transgressions described above will be met with immediate, albeit limited, military actions. Any use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime, or any other participants in the Syrian civil conflict, could be met with a response similar to the strikes of last night. But, right now, anything larger in scope than our current actions would not be prudent or wise. Larger actions would warrant a larger debate, and a new Authorization of Use of Military Force to be passed by Congress.

3- Be aware of the unintended consequences. This move can put US troops in harm’s way from Iranian militias and Russian air power. There has been a Mexican stand-off on the ground for a few years now, as the Russians, Iranians and Americans have all tacitly pretended the others weren’t there, and that their objectives somewhat overlapped. That fiction is now destroyed. Be prepared to act decisively, and diplomatically, to prevent further tensions and to mitigate risks to our soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines deployed in the region.

This is the very early days after a deepening of American involvement in this seemingly intractable conflict. How this plays out remains to be seen.