Significance of the missile attacks cannot be understated, says Waikato University international law expert

Waikato University international law expert Alexander Gillespie said the significance of the missile attacks could not be understated.

"It's huge. It's absolutely monstrous. To actually get directly involved, targeting [Syrian President] Assad - as opposed to targeting Isis - is a game-changer."

Gillespie said all eyes would now be on Syria and Russia's response.

"There are American troops in Raqqa right now, fighting the Islamic State. The question is whether Assad will attack the American troops

"And the second question is how will the Russians respond? Because the Russians have the capability to strike back.

"Best case scenario, everyone just accepts that Assad got a slap. Worse case scenario, there is a retaliation."

Trump had been ambivalent about military intervention in Syria when he came to power, Gillespie said.

"He has now put a flag in the ground."

Waikato University international law expert Alexander Gillespie says the next question is how the Russians will respond. "Because the Russians have the capability to strike back." Photo / File