Article snippet: ISIS and “not engage in the civil war itself,” some things, like the use of chemical weapons, are “simply inexcusable beyond the pale” and “in the worst interest… of civilization itself.” Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Mattis made the comments as justification for last year’s U.S. missile strikes on Syria but did not suggest what military action the administration might take in Syria in the coming days. On the complicated nature of the fight in Syria, Mattis said “at times you’re going to see contrary impulses,” after Rep. Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat, read out some of President Donald Trump’s tweets this week, first vowing to strike Syria, then suggesting the strikes may not be soon. Mattis confirmed President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision and said that after the hearing ends, he will attend a meeting of the National Security Council at the White House, at which he will “take forward the various options to the president.” Mattis placed blame on Russia for the continuing alleged chemical attacks in Syria, despite the fact that Mattis said the U.S. does not have hard evidence that chemical weapons were used in the Douma attack that has killed at least 43 people. He said that they were still trying to get Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons inspectors to Douma within the week to collect evidence. “You saw President Obama try to deal with those chemical weapons when he was in and enlis... Link to the full article to read more