There are rumours that US tried to negotiate with Russia for Assad to go but regime stay intact, but Russia declined
I also can't see US starting anything, even a few missiles, without more assets. They only have two aircraft carrier groups at sea and both are now in the region - the one patrolling Homuz and the one soppsed to be patrolling the pacific. Given potential escalation and the firepower Russia has off Syria US needs to make sure it has sufficient assets on site and other assets available for unforeseen circumstances there and elsewhere in the world - cant have all carriers tied up in Mideast So if things are going to happen even a token strike I would expect another carrier to leave the docks or at least be ready to
