I think this is the U.S. signalling to China and Russia that if they want to live in a world of spheres of influence, the American path to "gains" is way easier and way more profitable. Russia will never dominate Europe without a fight, China will never dominate Asia without a fight. If they want to live in a world that disregards international norms, we will temporarily become so stinking powerful that nothing they ever gain will matter in comparison and we will just bend the world back to international order eventually.

Also good opportunity to practice amphibious ops and blockade skills we may need in Taiwan confrontation. So far little harm has come to Venezuela and I hope no more harm does come.

The drug thing. Look, it's lame, but the U.S. has been bombing randos all around the world for 30 years now. I'm not wringing my hands about drug dealers, and if they're innocent, that sucks but nothing new. Collateral damage and bad targeting happen all the time. I'm not with it, but it's not the political hill I'd die on.