Donald Trump listens intently at a military briefing on the US strikes in Syria. The conference was set up at the President's luxury Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida - but who were the key players in the 'Situation Room' and what do they do?

Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State

Image: Rex Tillerson said the strike on Syria was 'proportional'

The US Secretary of State, America's top diplomat. He used to be chief executive of oil giant ExxonMobil after first joining the firm as an engineer in 1975. Mr Tillerson will need all of that high-level experience when he makes his first official visit to Moscow next week.

Russia, Syria's key ally, heavily criticised the US strike on the Homs airbase and warned it would sour relations between the former Cold War foes. But Mr Tillerson said the targeted strike was "proportional" and that Russia had "failed" to deliver on a commitment to ensure Syria gave up its chemical weapons.

HR McMaster, National Security Adviser

Image: HR McMaster is a critic of US involvement in the Vietnam War

Lieutenant General Herbert Raymond McMaster replaced Michael Flynn as National Security Adviser in February. Mr Flynn resigned amid controversy over his contact with Russia.

The 54-year-old US Army commander specialised in counter-insurgency warfare and held key roles in the Iraq and Gulf wars. He is said to have been a key player in the decision to launch the strikes against the Syrian airbase.


McMaster is also known for his vocal criticism of America's involvement in the Vietnam War.

Dina Powell, Deputy National Security Adviser

Image: Egypt-born and Dallas-raised, Dina Powell was recently promoted

A former partner at Goldman Sachs, Ms Powell also worked for the George W Bush administration in her late 20s, where she had a senior position helping appoint members of the cabinet and US ambassadors.

Born in Egypt but raised in Dallas, and a fluent Arabic speaker, she was recently promoted to Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy after serving for a few months as an adviser on economic initiatives and empowerment of women.

Reince Priebus, White House Chief of Staff

Image: Reince Preibus's position is rumoured to be under threat

A key part of Mr Trump's inner circle, 45-year-old Mr Priebus was a lawyer in Wisconsin before starting his political career. He was Chair of the Republican National Committee for six years before getting the top White House post.

There is speculation Mr Preibus could soon be replaced after President Trump's embarrassing failure to get enough Republican members of Congress to pass his health care bill and push aside Obamacare.

I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield... it is in the vital national security interest of the US to prevent and deter the spread and use of deadly chemical weapons

Jared Kushner, Senior Adviser to the President

Image: Jared Kushner is the President' s son-in-law and a senior adviser

President Trump's son-in-law and husband to Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner - a Harvard graduate - has a similar background to the President and the pair are extremely close.

His grandparents were immigrants from Poland and his family made a fortune from property - which he took a prominent role in after university. He masterminded his father-in-law's digital and social media strategy during his campaign and stayed on as a linchpin of his senior team.

Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary

Image: Sean Spicer has become well known as press secretary

Relegated to the side of the room, rather than his usual position in the spotlight, is press secretary Sean Spicer. He has the often tricky task of explaining - and defending - President Trump's decisions to the media.

His combative performances have even earned him the dubious pleasure of being parodied on Saturday Night Live. Mr Spicer was communications director for the Republican National Committee before becoming the public face of the White House machine.

Steve Bannon, White House Chief Strategist

Image: Steve Bannon was recently removed from the NSC

Also a peripheral figure in the photo, perhaps tellingly, is Steve Bannon who was removed from the National Security Council at the start of April. His appointment in January 2017 caused uproar, with critics saying it was inappropriate for him to play a role in national security matters.

White House sources have suggested that General HR McMaster spearheaded his removal from the NSC.

Mr Bannon is understood to have been against the Syria strikes and - if reports are to be believed - the former head of right-wing website Breitbart could soon be out of a job altogether amid a fallout with Jared Kushner.

The White House, however, has denied the reports.

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Steve Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary

Image: Steve Mnuchin is the US Treasury Secretary

Steve Mnuchin was the finance chairman and an economic adviser for Mr Trump's presidential campaign.

He worked at Goldman Sachs investment bank for 17 years and is a Yale University alumnus. Mr Mnuchin used to run his own hedge fund and is now President Trump's Treasury Secretary.

Security matters some distance from his brief, Mr Mnuchin - like several others in the room - was probably included as he was already at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate for the visit of China's President.

Joe Hagin, White House Deputy Chief of Staff

Image: Joe Hagin also worked for the Bush administration

Joe Hagin is the President's Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and also had a seat at the table. Like Dina Powell, he served in George W Bush's administration.

The White House's other deputy chief of staff (for policy implementation) is Richard Dearborn, who does not appear to have been at the meeting.

The Generals - James Mattis and Joseph Dunford

Image: General Joseph Dunsford (r) and Secretary of Defense James Mattis

Secretary of Defence James Mattis and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford, contributed their expertise via video conference. Both men excelled in the Marine Corps and went on to senior positions.

Mattis is a retired general who commanded in the Gulf wars and Afghanistan, before retiring in 2013. He picked up the nickname "Mad Dog" for reportedly making quips such as "be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet". He has said the label was invented by the media.

Joseph Dunford headed up the Marines before being promoted to his current position as the highest ranking member of the US armed forces and the President's most important military adviser.