Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a key ally of Vladimir Putin and any talk of regime change will invite an aggressive response from the Russian President and his key ally in Iran.

History tells us that strategic competition can often escalate to strategic tension and then, miscalculation.

You can be sure that this week, the Eastern Mediterranean and other key water ways are full of naval assets from the various military players. It's an environment which can lead to confrontation. 

The US actions were probably justified given the horrors of the chemical weapons attack on innocent men, women and children. It appears to have been both well calculated and designed only to prevent future chemical attacks.

More importantly, the Americans appear to be sending the message that regimes change in Syria while desirable, is not their goal.

On the other side of the equation, a military strike on another nation-state without United Nations sanction by a US President who is considered unpredictable is fraught with danger.

Let's hope common sense and cool heads prevail. But while the rise of Trump, Brexit and other unexpected global outcomes suggest people are tiring of the status quo, it's a good time to remember that the rules-based global order we've lived under since the end of the Second World War has allowed us to avoid global conflict for the last 73 years. Over that same period the world has become a wealthier place, poverty has declined and health outcomes have improved markedly.

Change is not always for the better.

Last week Cessnock Council resolved to lobby the NSW Government for a re-consideration of the location of the proposed so-called Lower Hunter Hospital. The Government plans to build the hospital in Metford but Cessnock councillors are arguing it should be on the Western side of Maitland and I agree. I happen to know that is also the view of health planners.

A new hospital on the edge of the Hunter Expressway makes sense. Metford as a location makes no sense. This issue should be of interest to all Upper Hunter residents. It would put a new state-of-the-art hospital within close range. Cessnock councillors also resolved to argue that the new hospital should be a public facility. That I agree with too.

I wish all readers a safe and happy Easter break.  Please take care on our busy roads.