Story highlights Healthcare, tax reform and even the Russian investigation are back burner issues now.

Presidencies are often shaped by unforeseen events like this one.

(CNN) The presidency you plan for is rarely the presidency you get. Events have a way of outrunning blueprints. Plans change.



That's what happened to Donald Trump's presidency earlier this week when the Syrian government launched a chemical attack against civilians in the northwestern part of the country.

A president and an administration who had advocated a hands-off policy in regards Syria was suddenly authorizing a military strike -- albeit a limited one -- against the Syrian airbase believed to be the launching point for the chemical attacks.

Syria and what the United States does next (if anything) is now the only issue on the front-burner of American politics. How does Syria react? Russia? Was this a targeted one-off or part of a broader campaign that Trump will unveil in the coming days? Will he seek congressional authorization for future strikes? Does he need to?

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