This is the NPR Politics Podcast, and we are here with a special breaking news episode.

My fellow Americans, a short time ago I ordered the United States Armed Forces to launch

precision strikes on targets associated with the chemical weapons capabilities of Syrian

dictator, Bashar Al Assad.

That was President Trump earlier tonight announcing that the United States had joined with France

in the UK to launch military strikes in Syria in response to last week's suspected chemical

weapons attack on civilians in Damascus suburb.

I'm Tamer Keith.

I cover the White House for NPR.

I'm Susan Davis.

I cover Congress.

And I'm filling you with national security editor.

And before we get to our conversation, let's just hear a little bit more of President Trump's

remarks delivered from the White House pretty late on Friday night.

The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production,

spread, and use of chemical weapons.

Establishing this deterrent is a vital national security interest of the United States.

The combined American, British, and French response to these atrocities will integrate

all instruments of our national power, military, economic, and diplomatic.

We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited

chemical agents.

I also have a message tonight for the two governments most responsible for supporting

...