Did Trump short circuit a US strike on Syria airbases with a tweet?

via LA Times

The four-line statement on Syria from the White House Press Secretary came just after 9:44 p.m. EDT Monday.

"The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children," the statement read. "The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack."

If Syrian President Bashar Assad "conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price," it concluded, citing a U.S. missile strike after the previous chemical attack to reinforce the new threat.

A Pentagon spokesman confirmed Tuesday that preparations for a chemical attack were observed at the same base in Syria from which its military launched a sarin nerve gas attack that killed 86 people, including children, in April.

“We have observed activities at Shayrat Air Base that suggest possible intent by the Syrian regime to use chemical weapons again,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway said in a statement. “These activities are similar to what we observed prior to the regime chemical weapons attack against Khan Sheikhoun in April."

But some senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials reached late Monday and early Tuesday were caught off guard by the White House statement. “Some knew, some didn’t,” said a U.S. official who sought anonymity to discuss the intelligence matter.

The official described the release of the nighttime statement as "ungraceful," but said the assessment that Syria was preparing for an attack is “sound."

Story here. 

Many are saying that once again Trump operated outside the lines and warned the Syrian govt directly that they shouldn't launch a chemical attack.  The Pentagon and State Dept were caught off guard.

But what if that was the plan?

What if Trump knows that there are some in the deep state that WANT deeper US involvement in Syria, still want Assad gone more than ISIS killed and even want to cross swords with Russia?

What if he knows that a direct warning could prevent an airstrike against Assad's forces and would further his  goal of destroying ISIS and dealing with Assad later?

I've been waiting for the usual blowup from the deep state but I believe they understand that this time he got them.  He prevented a potential escalation in the war in Syria and if true he also prevented a chemical attack.

It was a win win by Trump but everyone is missing it because of the tweet.  This might be pure luck but its truly brilliant.  Love him or hate him but I think Trump got this one right.