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The recent strike raises complex legal questions. Declaring groups like TDA as FTOs can justify the use of lethal force under certain conditions, particularly if they are involved in activities threatening U.S. national security. However, applying military force to criminal entities in international waters or within other countries' jurisdictions must be carefully considered.
Historically, law enforcement agencies like the Coast Guard and DEA have conducted interdictions and seizures without resorting to kinetic military actions. The shift toward strikes on suspected criminal or terrorist groups indicates an evolving border between law enforcement and military operations—raising concerns about sovereignty, escalation, and unintended consequences.