The Intelligence from The Economist Oil pressure: America’s tanker seizures
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Jan 8, 2026 
Shoshank Joshi, Defence editor at The Economist and a military and security expert, dives deep into America’s strategic tanker seizures related to Venezuelan oil. He unpacks a thrilling slow-motion naval chase and reveals the covert tactics used, spotlighting the nexus between Russia, Iran, and Venezuela's shadow fleet. Joshi also critiques the legal complexities behind stateless ships and discusses the implications of disrupted oil supplies on Cuba's economy. Plus, the podcast touches on the potential attendance of Hispanic fans at the upcoming World Cup.
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US Targets Venezuelan Oil Through Shadow Fleet
- The US is seizing vessels tied to Venezuelan oil to enforce Washington's sanctions and control Caracas's oil revenues.
- The operations expose a real shadow fleet linking Venezuela, Iran and Russia that uses spoofing and false flags to evade sanctions.
The Slow-Motion Chase Of The Bella One
- The Bella One shut off its transponders, reappeared in the Atlantic as the Marinera and hastily painted a Russian flag on its hull.
- Russia then sent naval assets while the US, aided by Britain, intercepted and boarded the vessel.
Flag Law Gives Legal Cover For Seizures
- Domestic sanctions don't automatically permit boarding on the high seas, but stateless or falsely flagged ships can be seized under UNCLOS.
- The Bella One likely became stateless by changing flags mid-voyage, giving legal cover for the US seizure.