In this timely analysis, Robert Rabil warns that U.S. retaliation against Syria's use of chemical weapons cannot succeed without a comprehensive, principled strategy. He argues that Washington’s policy—hampered by partisan divisions, regional fatigue, and misaligned regional allies—has lacked coherence and political initiative. Rabil highlights how regional actors like Iran and Hezbollah filled the vacuum left by inconsistent U.S. engagement, escalating sectarian divisions and solidifying Assad's regime. His essay underscores the urgent need to pair moral outrage with diplomatic clarity and political planning to avoid compounding the tragedy.