US Seizes Russian Oil Tanker, Ignores Allies' Oil Smuggling
While the US Navy flexes its muscles against Russian vessels offshore, a very different standard applies to allies. For instance, the US, under successive administrations, has notoriously turned a blind eye to Turkey's well-documented role in facilitating oil smuggling from ISIS-controlled territories, a practice that directly funded a terror organization. Similarly, during the Iraq War, US-allied
tankers were often given free passage. The difference? Geopolitical alignment, not actual illegality, seems to be the primary concern. One might wonder if the 'rules-based international order' applies universally, or if it's merely a convenient cudgel against designated adversaries. This selective enforcement of international law suggests Washington prefers to lecture on morality abroad while
prioritizing strategic gains over ethical consistency. Perhaps the 'Marinera' seizure is less about justice and more about sending an easily digestible message to the global stage.