What's happened
The US military conducted a second strike on a drug-smuggling boat in September, killing two survivors. Officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, defend the decision as lawful, citing the 'fog of war.' Critics question legality and potential war crimes amid bipartisan concern.
What's behind the headline?
The 'fog of war' defense masks deeper issues in US maritime interdiction policies. The administration's framing of these strikes as wartime actions ignores international law, especially given the UN's condemnation of potential extrajudicial killings. The White House's distancing from the second strike, blaming Admiral Bradley, suggests internal disagreements or attempts to mitigate political fallout. The decision to kill survivors, potentially violating the Law of War, indicates a reckless approach to counter-narcotics operations. This campaign risks escalating tensions and undermining legal standards, with bipartisan scrutiny likely to increase. The administration's emphasis on 'eliminating threats' may lead to a broader, unchecked use of force at sea, with long-term consequences for US credibility and international law adherence.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that President Trump and officials deny knowledge of the second strike's potential to hit survivors, framing it as a 'fog of war.' Helene Cooper highlights bipartisan questions about legality and the administration's approach. SBS emphasizes the growing outcry over alleged war crimes and the White House's attempt to distance Hegseth from the decision, blaming Admiral Bradley. Charlie Savage details internal directives and the legal disputes surrounding the strikes, noting that the second attack may violate the Law of War. These contrasting perspectives reveal a complex narrative: official defenses focus on legality and authority, while critics highlight potential violations and ethical concerns, illustrating the deep divisions over the US's maritime counter-narcotics strategy.
How we got here
Starting in September, the US has targeted vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming these are acts of war against narco-terrorists. The campaign has resulted in dozens of deaths, but lacks concrete evidence of drug trafficking. The incident involving the second strike, which killed survivors, has raised legal and ethical questions, especially as lawmakers scrutinize the administration's approach.
Go deeper
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Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American government official and former television personality who has served since 2025 as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publi
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.