Post #1169480

"Freedom of navigation has been treated not as a privilege to be sold, but as a right to be defended. The young republic’s first military intervention — the quasi-war with France — was fought in part over interference with American shipping. Soon after, the U.S. confronted the Barbary pirates, refusing to pay tribute for safe passage and instead using force to establish the principle that commerce should move freely across the seas." Gift article: https://wapo.st/4cyn3gO