Each US response, or feckless lack of one, sends a reverberating message throughout that region and to the rest of the world. I imagine that the ChiComs, Norks, Iranians, and our erstwhile allies are as\lso nervously watching and assessing their relationships with us.
Stolen elections have consequences.
After reading more details about this incident and the history of this ship, I’m not sure why the U.S. has any reason to respond at all. It’s not a U.S.-flagged vessel, it isn’t owned by an American company, and it’s not in U.S territorial waters.