What a non-sequitur. Whether or not the boat is engaged in something the onshore authorities of the US consider illegal, or not, is irrelevant. The boats are not in US territorial waters. Therefore, international maritime law applies. There is ZERO legal basis for the US
@chrismartenson A "debate" implies there’s a lawful or ethical gray zone. There isn’t. These boats aren’t in U.S. waters, they pose no imminent threat, and there’s been no declaration of war or congressional authorization. Under both U.S. and international law, that makes these strikes illegal.
@RicardusLupum @chrismartenson What international law? The us is not a signatory to UNCLOS.
@GTaylor23500135 @chrismartenson Correct, the U.S. never ratified UNCLOS, but it still abides by its rules as customary law. And UNCLOS aside, the UN Charter and Law of Armed Conflict prohibit unprovoked attacks in international waters.