I don't understand the context of this exchange, however to coin a phrase, there is no moral equivalency between the DIY islands, and the Syria conflict
If I was Lord of the universe I would have enforced a no fly zone, eliminated anything foreign that stayed into it, Russian without doubt. The conflict should have been taken to Putin from day one of his intervention. The coalition failed. At that point Putin's Russia was exceptionally thin, and he himself was in all sorts of shit domestically. Had he engaged he would not be around today. This should have been the moment of some very positive thoughtful, and righteous aggression from many, including America.
**** the islands That one is just a regional Asian game of Hold'em. Any western nations that get involved in armed conflict there would be insane. This is what the Asian nations do. It goes on for 6 or 700 years, this way that way, you give me this I give you that, we live, we hate, we smile. it is nothing. Any foreign involvement should be mediation, and observation... and that's it. No flags. No military...
If Trump thinks conflict with China is a necessary part of a wider trade scenario, the generals need to inject.
To me, staying in TPP would piss the Chinese off more... and given the US some leverage. Why defend some BS non event to rile China and pull out of TPP... it is incongruous. Don't make sense.