in the middle east this hour. an explicit warning this morning from president trump to russia, not to interfew against u.s. action against syria. the president writing on twitter, russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at syria. get ready, russia, because they will be coming. nice and new and smart. weer partners with a gas-killing animal who kills his people and enjoys it. >> we are studying that situation extremely closely. we are meeting with our military and everybody else, and we'll be making some major decisions over the next 24 to 48 hours. >> by our math, that deadline has now passed. more details now from our correspondents and analysts who are spread out across the globe. nbc news chief global correspondent bill neely in beirut.