Russia's oil play
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Russia's oil play

10:27 Mar 24, 2026
About this episode
A Russian oil tanker is steaming toward the Caribbean, most likely destined for Cuba. But that's not really the story behind the ship and its cargo. It’s a message, according to people close to the White House, former ambassadors and Russia observers — a negotiating chit, a provocation designed to force a disproportionate American response while Washington is consumed elsewhere. Playbook's Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the geopolitical stakes of Russia's oil play.
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