The Navy has conducted some extremely consequential wiretaps. A fantastic book about the subject: https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...

> Commercial interests have been waiting for the day when they could start mining the seafloors globally for these nodules.

For all the folks thinking about Project Azorian[0], I recently read "Blind Man's Bluff"[1] and recommend it for the larger context of oceanic subsurface reconnaissance.

0. https://www.cia.gov/legacy/museum/exhibit/project-azorian/

1. https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...

Those who are familiar with US submarine operations would assume this from the start. For an excellent account of the development of US submarine capabilities (including listening and detection), I wholeheartedly recommend the book "Blind Man's Bluff".[0]

How that book hasn't been made into a mini-series is beyond me. The stories and characters are incredible.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...

> Why would the US care about a PR disaster? It's not like Europe has any choice in the matter at this point.

Because the will of the allied sanction group is strongly dependent upon PR? The EU nations are a fractious group on the best of days. One of the reasons why the support for Ukraine and sanctions for Russia were so swift was the fact that Biden played the PR and intelligence game perfectly.

> What?

What part of my statement is not clear? Putin is worried about assassins. Taking out Putin and taking over Russia can be converted to cash very quickly by turning the pipeline back on even before sanctions get lifted. Blowing up the pipeline prevents any would be assassins from making use of it later. Putin will suffer neither PR backlash (he controls the Russian media) nor diplomatic backlash (he has already been isolated) for blowing up the pipeline.

And I note that you completely ignored the point that the US would do this with subs (and this was what they could do 30+ years ago). See: Blind Man's Bluff--https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...

Blind Man's Bluff:

https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...

I think it's on par with Skunk Works. Absolutely amazing stories about submarine espionage, stealth fighters but underwater.

You mean like the US nuke subs did 40 years ago?

https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Mans-Bluff-Submarine-Espionage/...