Damn sure this is the flashpoint the Deep State expects to kickstart WW3, or at least an Iraq on steroids in order to bog down Trump admin and creating another sinkhole of tax money and american blood.
This mirrors the events of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, where a false flag operation destroyed the USS Maddox and dragged America into Vietnam.
So, Liberty instead of Maddox ? Given the current context, your theory is unfortunately plausible.