The Venezuela raid and arguments about international precedent

The discussion considers claims that the Venezuela raid would encourage Chinese action against Taiwan or further Russian action against Ukraine. Clarke argues that Beijing treats Taiwan as an internal issue and would resist a comparison that implied recognition of Taiwan as a separate state. He also argues that Russia's existing conduct weakens the claim that it needs a new American example before acting. He acknowledges other objections under international law and says that setting a good example is desirable. His distinction is between those objections and the particular argument that this raid supplies a necessary precedent.