This isnt chess. The government and military are still intact, the VP seems vehemently against rolling over, it just pisses off America's enemies more and lets them know that kidnapping a head of state is now on the table and they'd better close the Kidnapping Gap and be more ready for that possibility and look into how to do it themselves. That just leads to holding foreign kings for ransom again, it's not done cause under a system that isnt absolute monarchy the snake works just fine without the head, no one does this cause it's pointless and opens up equally dirty retaliation, if a head of state orders the kidnapping of another head of state the target could be more on them personally than before, which usually people who want to stay alive try to avoid. How does this advance American Interests as opposed to a more normal act of aggression? Seems like really bad strategy to me.

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[–] towhee@hexbear.net 17 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It depends on how much of the rest of the government knew about & went along with the kidnapping. Words are one thing but the actions taken by the VP and generals will be more telling. If some general(s) caved and shut down air defense then things are dire indeed.

[–] Chana@hexbear.net 16 points 1 week ago

If he was kidnapped with the consent of the state power structures then it's less that the US accomplished anything via this action and more that they revealed that it was already basically over for him and PSUV. If you've lost the military like that they could just remove you directly themselves.