Defense and the National Interest – A Barometer of Order

William Lind writes that what is comic about the piracy off Somalia is the inability of the maritime powers, most of whom now have warships on station in the region, to do anything about it.

Virginian Pilot – Sailors tell how they captured suspected pirates

After months of patrolling the busy shipping lanes that crisscross the region, and weeks of hunting for pirates aiming to hijack merchant ships for ransom, the crew of the USS Mahan knew this was no exercise…

BBC – Taking on Somalia’s pirates

Somali pirates are poised for renewed attacks on shipping off the coast of Somalia, according to the Royal Navy’s Cdr Gerry Northwood, the head of operations for the EU’s anti-piracy taskforce, codenamed Operation Atalanta.

Associated Press – US Navy watches as Somali pirates nab $3.2 million

As U.S. Navy ships looked on, Somali pirates sped away Thursday with $3.2 million in ransom after releasing an arms-laden Ukrainian freighter — ending a four-month standoff that focused world attention on piracy off Somalia’s lawless coast.

Wall Street Journal – Hijacked on the High Seas

When Somali pirates attacked, they kicked off 56 days of drama over the fate of a ship and 28 crewmen. A fascinating piracy case study…

Virginian Pilot – Faced with rising piracy problem, Navy is taking fight to Africa

In just two weeks, a new U.S. Navy anti-piracy effort has picked up a pair of allies – the weather and a nation willing to accept captured pirates.

Choppy seas have discouraged piracy attempts since the Navy established the force, known as Combined Task Force 151, two weeks ago. The U.S. also has reached a preliminary agreement with Kenya to accept captured pirates

BBC – US to lead new anti-pirate force

A new international force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia is being formed and will be headed by an American admiral.

BBC – UN approves piracy land pursuit

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a US resolution allowing countries to pursue Somali pirates on land as well as at sea.

Wall Street Journal – On the Lawless Seas, It’s Not Easy Putting Somali Pirates in the Dock

Though piracy is a globally recognized crime, few governments are willing to navigate the legal and logistical barriers that impede convicting seaborn bandits.

Defense Technology International – Yo Ho EU!

The EU anti-piracy operation launched by European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels today will be a first for the EU in more than one way. It will be the first naval operation conducted by the EU. It will also be the first time the EU has relieved NATO in an operation which is ramping up rather than being scaled down.

Associated Press – A look at how Somali pirates operate

As piracy explodes off Somalia’s lawless coast, the questions become ever more stark: How can ragtag bands of Somali pirates stand up to international warships? And why not just shoot the bandits when they try to clamber aboard? First, the pirates are not as ragtag as one might expect. And second, it’s a big ocean.

Washington Times – Avast the pirates

Thomas P.M. Barnett opines on what to do about piracy…

Associated Press – Shippers seek naval blockade of Somali coast

Shipping officials from around the world called for a military blockade Monday along the coast of Somalia to intercept pirate vessels heading out to sea.

Wall Street Journal – Pirates Exploit Confusion About International Law

A nice explanation of why it is so difficult to prosecute pirates after they are captured.

The Times – Iranian grain ship seized as Somali pirates hold world to ransom

BBC – Pirates capture Saudi oil tanker

Somali pirates have seized a giant Saudi-owned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean and are steering it towards Somalia, the US Navy reports. This act of piracy is unique for the size of the ship involved and the distance it was seized off-shore – 450 miles.

Associated Press – NATO escorts shipload of supplies to Somalia.

NATO warships safely escorted a cargo of supplies through the pirate-infested waters off Somalia on Monday for the first time .

Associated Press – NATO flotilla to start anti-piracy operations soon

A NATO flotilla sailing toward the Somali coast will begin anti-piracy operations within the next few days, but officials said Wednesday the alliance was still working out the rules of engagement for the seven ships.

Virginian Pilot – Blackwater sets sights on Somali pirates

Is combatting piracy a new potential market for private military contractors?

Daily Telegraph – The piracy crisis that threatens to cripple vital shipping lines through the Indian Ocean has claimed fresh victims as Somali bandits attacked two more ships.
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Defense Technology International – The Standing NATO Maritime Group will begin anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast in two weeks. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a press conference on 9 October, the first day of an informal meeting of allied defense ministers in Budapest, that NATO ships would escort vessels transporting World Food Program (WFP) aid to Somalia, on the request of the United Nations. He said the NATO warships would also conduct patrols off the Somali coast to deter pirates.
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Associated Press – With a Russian frigate closing in and a half-dozen U.S. warships within shouting distance, the pirates holding a tanker off Somalia’s coast might appear to have no other choice than to wave the white flag. But that’s not how it works in Somalia, a failed state where a quarter of all children die before they turn five, where anybody with a gun controls the streets and where every public institution has crumbled???
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Associated Press – The international shipping industry must take on more responsibility to protect vessels against pirate attacks and kidnappings in the dangerous waters of Somalia rather than rely on the U.S. Navy says the commander of the 5th Fleet.
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Economist – Pirates are terrorising the high seas off Africaís east coast
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BBC – The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia’s territorial waters to tackle pirates.
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CNN – A first person account of what it is like to be captured by pirates.
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