John Helmer: Shadow Fleet Showdown: U.S. Seizes Russian Tankers as Global Power Deals Unravel

Analysis of the "Anchorage formula" dispute revealing deep factional splits in Moscow: Lavrov declares the U.S. violated any Anchorage understanding through escalating tanker seizures and sanctions, while Kremlin business factions (Dmitriev) believe deals with Trump envoys can restore economic relations. The U.S. wages unprecedented naval warfare—intercepting vessels from Scotland to the Indian Ocean—aiming to strangle Russian energy exports and fracture Russia-China-India-Iran cooperation. Moscow debates whether to convoy-flagged tankers with naval escorts, risking direct U.S. confrontation. Meanwhile, European leaders show political weakness, prioritizing domestic survival over collective resistance to American pressure. The core dilemma: negotiate under duress or resist knowing escalation could trigger wider conflict. Naval brinkmanship intensifies as global trade routes become contested battlegrounds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.