The Beeb Beeb Ceeb on stopping Somali piracy

[unixronin]

“International efforts to thwart Somali piracy would appear to be floundering. Perhaps words from the 19th Century could offer a solution [...]”

A pretty good historical retrospective comparing the Somali piracy problem with the Barbary pirates and the suppression of the slave trade.

With Somali piracy still threatening shipping, it sounds as if modern navies need a few Captain Robert Denmans, or the like-minded American, Commodore Stephen Decatur.

...And I can’t find it in myself to argue with that.

Comments

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

We don't need to stretch our imaginations too far to find a solution.

We have a team of highly trained personnel who specialize in boarding ships and oil rigs (in seas more violent and unfriendly than the one in question), and eliminating all threats encountered, including while dealing with hostages.

All it takes is giving them a green light.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yup. I'm surprised we haven't sent them in already.

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

I saw an article in my RSS feeds this morning that says Obama doesn't want to go down that path. He's sending in hostage negotiators from the FBI.

I'm of a split mind about that decision...

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

This is his first sharp-end crisis, even if it's a small one, and he just blinked.

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

Yup.

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

Here's the article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/04/09/national/w165754D30.DTL&feed=rss.news) I was talking about.

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

But, this (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/04/10/national/w110056D07.DTL&feed=rss.news) looks like he's at least got the stick ready if the carrot fails. That's a good sign.