Ok, I'm perplexed by this Somali pirate situation. Everyone knows who's doing it. They know where the pirates are going once they hijack a ship. Dozens of countries are affected by this. Somalia is not some indomitable superpower.
Why don't the affected countries just tell the Somali government, "We know you are either participating in this or you are harboring the pirates." "You either turn over all the crews, all the vessels, and all those responsible, or we'll obliterate your country starting with the port city that harbors them." "In the mean time, we are putting up a naval blockade and cutting you off from all maritime trade."
Seems pretty simple, and the U.S. doesn't have to be the only sheriff in this.
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Actually, much is already known about the lives of these pirates. BBC has a nice article (http://tr.im/1cby) presenting the life these pirates lead in Puntland and in the port city of Eyl.
Also, it is doubtful that any help would be expected from the Somali national government since this is fractured and still in chaos.
BBC also has a good article detailing some of the roadblocks preventing international action against the pirates in these waters. http://tr.im/1cc9
Part of me wants to see more 'eye-for-eye' response, such as the recent incident involving a pirate mothership and a ship of the Indian navy. http://tr.im/1ccf
This brazen and disruptive piracy has been tolerated long enough; if they choose to live inconsiderately and stupidly, then I feel very little remorse when their ships are blown violently out of the water.
Besides, skirmishes between pirates and navies is a part of our human heritage. Arggg.
Good articles, particularly the second. Time to change the rules if they are not working.
If we can track Russian ships all over the world, we ought to be able to monitor when ships leave Eyl. I think the UN or whatever group finally decides to take action should simply board and search any ship leaving that port.
Avast me hearties!
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