Seizing empty Russian oil tanker doesn’t serve America’s interests

The spectacle of the world’s most powerful military force chasing a slow-moving oil tanker across the high seas was amusing to watch, but it was not a show of strength and competence by Washington. Moreover, the tanker itself was empty, raising questions about why the U.S. would waste already scarce military resources in its pursuit, and what officials will do now that they control it. The action’s legality is yet another valid question, but not one about which the Trump administration is very concerned. The ship’s loss does not hurt Russia in a material way, but threatens U.S.-Russia negotiations over the end of the war in Ukraine at a fragile and critical moment.

That the vessel had sought Russia’s protection adds a more significant geopolitical wrinkle to an otherwise farcical episode. Indeed, sources report that Moscow had dispatched a submarine to protect and escort the vessel as it tried to escape, but U.S. forces moved in to board the ship before it could arrive.

There is only one real explanation for why Washington chose to move on the Bella-1 now: because it can. In the wake of the successful and daring raid on Caracas that resulted in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the administration feels emboldened to stretch its power to its limit. This is most true in the Western Hemisphere, where the “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine is best interpreted as a desire to remove any impediment to the exercise of U.S. military, economic, and political will.