Analysis: Fallout From Having Pirates Operating From Somalia

Ship Rescued Off The Somali Coast

From Tigerhawk:

The New York Times is running a very interesting story about the pirates of Somalia, who have made a great living seizing vessels far into the Indian Ocean and holding the crews and cargo for ransom. This has been a successful strategy, because in any given case it is easier to pay than fight. The once stalwart Brits have called off the Royal Navy because they cannot figure out how to navigate international human rights law, while Sarkozy's France has found its inner Boosh.

In the current case, however, the pirates may have grabbed the wrong ship:

The gun-toting, seafaring thieves, who routinely pounce on cargo ships bobbing along on the Indian Ocean, suddenly found themselves in command of a vessel crammed with $30 million worth of grenade launchers, piles of ammunition, even battle tanks.

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My Comment: The seizure of this arm shipment has put the spotlight on a growing problem. I would not be to surprised if countries like Russia, France, and other sea powers start to use their naval forces in a active way to stop this piracy.