Trump's Law of War - Stay Tuned with Preet Recap

Podcast: Stay Tuned with Preet

Published: 2025-12-16

Duration: 12 min

Guests: Joyce Vance

Summary

The episode examines the legality and implications of U.S. actions against Venezuela, particularly in terms of international law and the Trump administration's inconsistent foreign policy strategies.

What Happened

The episode begins with a discussion on the complexity of U.S. actions involving Venezuela, including the seizure of an oil tanker and strikes on boats. These actions raise questions about their legality under international law, particularly as the U.S. is not a signatory to the UN Treaty on the Law of the Sea.

The conversation delves into the Trump administration's justification for these actions, claiming they are necessary to combat violent narco-terrorists. However, this rationale contrasts with traditional views that drug cartels protect drugs with violence rather than attacking the U.S.

A significant issue discussed is whether the U.S. is at war, as the administration claims a non-international armed conflict. This assertion is challenged by experts who argue that the facts do not support the claim of being at war, making the legal basis for these actions questionable.

The episode also explores the internal inconsistencies of the Trump administration's foreign policy. While Trump advocates for peace and even aims for a Nobel Peace Prize, his actions, such as renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, suggest otherwise.

A key point raised is the legal obligations regarding shipwrecked survivors, emphasizing that once individuals are out of combat, they should not be targeted. The administration's actions, such as the second strike on a boat, flout this principle, raising further legal concerns.

The discussion reflects on historical parallels, like the Iran-Contra scandal, highlighting the political nature of these actions which are bound by the constraints of law. The episode questions whether political judgments aligned with legal standards are being met.

The episode concludes by acknowledging the complexity of these legal and political issues, noting that many facts remain opaque. The situation forces a reconsideration of what might be happening beyond public view, given the known actions on the open seas.

Key Insights

• The U.S. seized an oil tanker and conducted strikes on boats related to Venezuela, actions whose legality is questioned due to the U.S. not being a signatory to the UN Treaty on the Law of the Sea.
• The Trump administration justified actions against Venezuela by labeling them as necessary to combat violent narco-terrorists, a rationale that contrasts with traditional views of drug cartels using violence defensively rather than offensively.
• There is a legal principle that shipwrecked survivors should not be targeted once out of combat, which was potentially violated by the U.S. administration's second strike on a boat.
• The Trump administration's foreign policy shows internal inconsistencies, such as advocating for peace while renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, raising questions about the alignment of political actions with legal standards.