
The Monocle Daily The US seizes an oil tanker near Venezuela. Plus: Should countries hold elections during wartime?
Dec 11, 2025
Julie Norman, an Associate Professor at UCL and co-author of 'Gaza, The Dream and the Nightmare', teams up with seasoned journalist Jonathan Fenby to tackle pressing global issues. They dissect the US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, analyzing its geopolitical ramifications and historical context. The conversation also shifts to the implications of proposed social media screenings for US visitors and whether elections can occur during wartime in Ukraine, with both guests questioning the practicality and potential fallout of such actions.
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US Tanker Seizure Marks A New Phase
- The US seizure of the tanker marks a new, more aggressive phase in operations near Venezuela.
- Julie Norman says it crosses a line from sanctions to direct asset seizure signalling increased pressure on Maduro.
Action Fits A Broader Monroe Doctrine Push
- The operation fits a broader Trump-era push to assert US control in the Western Hemisphere.
- Norman links the move to geopolitics and US concerns about Venezuelan oil flows to China.
Incoherent Tactics Undermine Credibility
- Jonathan Fenby highlights incoherence in US tactics: why seize a tanker but previously blow up smaller vessels?
- He suggests inconsistent strategy undermines credibility.



