The USS Bainbridge is keeping eye on a lifeboat holding Somali pirates and the captain of a US-flagged freighter who was taken hostage Wednesday.
(Paul Farley/REUTERS/File)Photos (1 of 1)
Standoff with Somali pirates shows limits of naval response
Military options could only make things worse, some analysts say, if they did not go hand in hand with political solutions.
By Rob Crilly | Correspondent 04.10.09
As the standoff between the US Navy and Somali pirates intensified Friday in the Indian Ocean, with pirates vowing to fight on as the US encircled them, analysts were pointing to the episode as evidence that international naval power may have a limited role in ridding the seas of the pirate scourge.
Central to stemming the attacks is addressing issues in Somalia, where the weak government is powerless to intervene without substantial financial and logistical support from donor countries.
“Twenty years ago we had a strong government, with maritime forces and armed forces, and ships to defend our waters,” says Abdi Haji Gobdoon, spokesman for the Somali government. “There was never any problem like this.”
“At the moment, we have no ability to protect the waters or defend against the pirates,” he said by telephone from the Somali capital. The fledgling government controls only a small portion of the capital, let alone its 1,879 miles of coastline. He added that requests for financial assistance or technical help had been made repeatedly to donor nations, but continued to fall on deaf ears.
“No one wants to help us with this. I don’t know why, because it is a problem for everyone now,” he said. “They send ships but we need stability on land.”
Somalia has had no effective government since 1991. With no coast guard or military to defend its territorial waters, Somalis, whose livelihoods depended on fishing, could only watch as foreign trawlers emptied the seas of fish. To survive, many took up piracy instead.
Last year was a bumper year for Somali pirates, who hijacked more than 40 vessels and earned millions of dollars in ransom in a country riddled with drought, war, and poverty. The intensified attacks have prompted an international response, with more than 12 governments sending warships to patrol the busy shipping lanes through the Gulf of Aden last year.
But this year, the pirates have begun attacking further afield to evade capture. And they captured the world’s attention this week when four pirates boarded a US-flagged container ship, the Maersk Alabama, Wednesday after a high-speed chase. That attack was the sixth such strike over the past week.
The 20-man crew eventually managed to overpower their attackers on Wednesday. But in a dramatic twist, the captain of the Danish-operated vessel, Richard Phillips, handed himself over to the gunmen to secure the safety of his crew.
He has spent the past 48 hours adrift in a lifeboat with his captors as the US Navy, in the form of a guided missile destroyer, the USS Bainbridge, keeps a close watch. Friday morning, Captain Phillips attempted to escape, but was recaptured by the pirates. Even as the US sent reinforcements to the area, pirates were doing the same, with Reuters reporting that skiffs and motherships were heading to the area, including four foreign ships that had been captured. A total of 54 hostages are on two of the ships, citizens of China, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, Tuvalu, Indonesia, and Taiwan, Reuters reported.
The Maersk Alabama, which is carrying food aid for Uganda and Somalia, is now on its way to its original destination, Mombasa port in Kenya. It is expected to arrive by Sunday night.
As more warships make their way to the area, they can only sit and watch as negotiations continue for the release of Captain Phillips, the first American snatched by pirates in 200 years. On Thursday, FBI negotiators were brought in to help.
The standoff gives President Barack Obama a foreign policy dilemma as his administration weighs the options for tackling piracy.
Rashid Abdi Sheikh, Somalia analyst with the International Crisis Group in Nairobi, says using military options could only make things worse if they did not go hand-in-hand with political solutions.
“Most of these pirates are operating from the region of Puntland, which is essentially a failed state within a failed state,” he says.
“Nothing will change until we see more stability on land.”
For the time being, though, sending warships remains the preferred strategy rather than sending cash to a government headed by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed - chased from Mogadishu just over two years ago when he was one of two leaders of Somalia’s Islamic Courts.
Once pirates have taken control of a vessel, though, the warships are often powerless to intervene. Negotiated settlements offer less risk of harming the crew.
Instead the warships are there to deter attacks where possible.
Last year the United Nations Security Council adopted an American-drafted resolution allowing countries to pursue Somali pirates on land as well as at sea.
The US has launched missile strikes against Islamist targets in the past two years and officials have suggested the same strategy could be used to knock out pirate havens.
But Bruno Schiemsky, a military analyst in Nairobi who monitors Somalia, said the strategy was unworkable without much better intelligence.
“What are they going to do? It’s not as if you can put a missile on the head of each pirate. You’d have to take out entire towns or villages.”
<< Somali piracy back in spotlight with US hostage | MainComments
3. Sandra Orr | 04.10.09
To stop Somali piracy of American flagged ships America should stop sending aid ships to Somalia.
5. Charles Justice | 04.10.09
So we negotiate with gangs of maritime criminals??? Where’s our modern day Stephen Decatur when we need him? We spend many billions on a navy that can’t thwart pirates in small craft. Let’s mothball our mega-carriers and nuclear subs and send the sailors home. Today’s naval officers can only navigate a desk around the Pentagon.
6. Battenburg | 04.10.09
Wow. Once upon a time America was a powerful nation that wouldn’t have tolerated these pirates. What happened ?
7. John T. | 04.10.09
The US Navy should topple the lifeboat the kidnapped captain is in with a submarine coming up from underneath the boat. It will put everybody into the water and the pirates won’t have enough time to react while they are all in the water. At the same time the navy seals should swoop in and save the captain and take out all the pirates.
8. Bob Koure | 04.10.09
Long term, yes, stability on land is needed to bring this problem to an end.
Short term, some other solutions might reduce the problem.
One thought: a “no unlisted ships” corridor in international waters. Make it wide enough that it’s very hard to operate speedboats from outside of it. Use aerial imagery (sat and high altitude) to inspect and destroyers (or smaller) to enforce. Even without enforcement, it would be useful for merchant vessels to be notified of potential pirates “over the horizon”.
Another thought: Q-ships. Arm merchant vessels with non-explosive cargo with teams of Marines with sufficient weapons to sink speedboats. As I remember, the original mission of the Marines was to fight piracy - off Lybia. Seems to me that captured pirates weren’t “handed over to local authorities.
Either of these would be expensive - but probably cheaper than the ransoms the ship owners are paying. One question is whether they would pay for this if it was offered.
9. William | 04.10.09
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Dont negotiate with terrorists.
Get it?
11. Let’s think through this | 04.10.09
One idea is to perhaps pay them and place a tracking device in it. They release the Captain, then we track them to their desintation and hopefully pinpoint their safehaven. From here we can either take them out or build a target profile. In the long term, however, the key is to focus on “preventing” the boarding of pirates, because once they have successfully boarded a ship, the game is lost. Manufacturers should develop hull-mounted mechanisms that simply prevent undesirables from being able to board, whether it be redesigning the hull shape or attaching devices that disperse projectiles (or something) when a threat attempts to latch on. Lastly, commercial maritimers need to get real about hiring security.
12. Isaac | 04.10.09
I think this is the time to sacrifice some of our people. The pirates needs to be attacked at whatever cost or outcome. The forces should start attack the life boat. The pirates knows very well that because of the captain’s life the boat will never be attacked. Why cann’t we do the unexpected? if the captain is killed yes we will be very sorry but his family will be given the money which were meant to be a ransom.
And the pirates will never repeat the same kind of action
14. Stephen | 04.10.09
Once the Captain is released there needs to be a very swift and strong response from the US. It needs to be devastating for the pirates and their safe havens. At the moment it is apparently a high profit- low risk situation for the pirates. We need to change that.
15. Quemann | 04.10.09
If American billionaires were smart enough, they would chip in to invest in Somalia. They might call it an absurdity, but to keep their wealth sustainable, they should learn how to handle poverty in third countries. Poverty in third countries can pose a big threat to world economy and be weaponized to cultivatea a hot bed for radical Islamic militias, social unrest and terrorism. Poverty turns into violence, and violence can weaken the wealthy’s social and economic footing as well.
Somalia has a very weak government, which will need international support to gain its strength. Besides, there is an independent nation, not internationallly recognized, in Somalia:Somaliland, which has an abundance of natural gas, oil and minerals.
Military options against Somali pirates will just worsen the situation and help extend the priacy into Indian ocean and other seas. Somalia’s only industry is piracy.Unless international assistance is provided, the Somali piracy will be perpetuated and will help al-Qaida take root in this region.
Billionaires’ wealth had been bolstered by latent financial bubbles, which eventually bursted last September.Hopefully, those billionaires should learn how the global economy as a whole is interdependent. Let’s suppose you have a billion dollar in your hand,and you are the only human being surviving on this planet, that wealth is meaningless. Simply put, your wealth is being supported by those who are not rich and want to be richer.
For now, about 15 countries are deploying their warships in the Gulf fo Aden.
Presumably there could be 30 to 40 warships patrolling with each warship having 300-strong crew each. What a waste in defense spending and what a horrible atrocity being done to the ocean in terms of waste water, polllutants and other environmental hazards resulting from the warships.
16. Jeff | 04.10.09
We need to start taking out these pirates on site, shoot to kill!
We then need to hit their infrastructure, bomb their ports, destroy their boats that are docked. Until they start seeing some negative consequences for their actions they will not stop. We need to start taking the fight to them on land, as well as at sea.
Hopefully, the US Navy will make an example with these “pirate trash”!
17. emilio escobedo | 04.10.09
i am a retired border patrol in the south texas coast. a group of nations putting together a pirate patrol would control the area in or out of international waters. upon capturing the pirates, taking them to an international court and punished would further subside the piracy.
someone nation needs to take the lead and responsibility in forming such a patrol, i was responsible for miles of coast in Texas and all federal and state agencies were urged to participate to stop or apprehend the drug smugglers. these drug smugglers would bring in 1400 to 2000 pounds of drugs in a 24 ft. single engine skeef similar to what the somali pirates are using. they will continue to operate until someone puts an effort to stop this international crime at high seas.
19. Goji | 04.10.09
Navy diver, at night. Simply hole the craft and back off to watch it sink. Once everyone is in the water they’ll lose their weapons in order to stay afloat. Apply bullets as desired.
In response to Quemann - possibly. But I tend to take an ethical stance that murder and theft should not be rewarded with investment. With airstrikes, perhaps, but not with profit. If, on the other hand, a nation makes an honest attempt, no matter how ineffective, to better its situation, yes, the developed world should help.
20. merlin | 04.10.09
Opportunity lost when the Captain attempted escape and seperated himself from the pirates if only for a few moments.
21. redddwing | 04.10.09
This country was built on “freedom of the seas”! Remember John Paul Jones? Let’s get back to that and squelch these evil pirates. Let’s put big bounties on their heads funded by an international coalition. I am sure that with all the global jobless folks out there we could see a growing sea bounty business to eradicate these pirates!!!!
22. Cartpusher725 | 04.10.09
We have air marshalls. Rather then paying for a navy ship to deploy with three hundred people. I would rather have 1 marshall per ship. to just scout the open waters you see a life boat WELL we have guns too. I’d rather not send aid but i lean a little to the right. Does china and japan provide tents and food for the unemployed?
Also the captain is a hero and should be treated as such. Lets get him back safe and move forward.
23. sg | 04.10.09
I sent the following email to my senators and representative:
Please demand that Congress stand up against the pirates who have taken a US citizen hostage. You need to be a loud voice demanding strong crackdown against pirates. Let me be clear. You need to demand that the military hunt them down and kill them all and destroy their capability to continue piracy. Sink all of their boats and bomb and burn their cities.
Millions for defense but not one penny for ransom.
These pirate know we have a weak president.
Don’t you be weak too!
USE FORCE NOW ! DEFEND EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN !
We pay for the military to defend our citizens.
USE FORCE NOW !
If Thomas Jefferson could stand up to them 200 years ago, we certainly can do it now.
24. Y.A | 04.10.09
As the chief of the courts said, Somalia never had these problems 20 years ago. Then the US landed and screwed the country up - totally anarchy prevailed. A few years ago, the courts established law and order and what did the US do? Sent gunships to kill the judges because they were ‘fundamentalists’. When you drive someone with their backs to the wall, they take to the high seas.
25. Unauthorized | 04.10.09
We are in a real pickel right now…even if pirates messed up by sending all hostages out to sea…and that can be used to our advantage:
Only one thing to do worthy of mention…inform the Somali gov’t to get their ear plugs ready…because if the pirates do not release all hostages, every living thing on their property will be toasted. Then salt will be laid down on that property for all future generations to take note of. (Black Hawk down will be child’s play compared to what is going to happen.)
Upon release of the hostages, the pirates will be given 24 hours to either surrender all arms and gear. Their leaders will then sign a statement swearing never to pirate again or there land will be scorched, etc. tating
26. Steve | 04.10.09
What a weird and messed up story this is. I feel like this is some long ongoing Hollywood drama, except it most certainly is not. Hopefully this man will be saved soon, but like this article notes … our navy isn’t set up to deal with a threat like this.
Watched a video about this the other day and they put it quite well “It’s time to kick the pirates’ butt”
Here’s the link: http://www.newsy.com/videos/captive_captain_jumping_ship/
27. Robert Blue | 04.10.09
It is obvious that this administration is going to do nothing….well maybe Obama will bow to them as he did the king of the terrorist state of Saudi Arabia…
28. richard potter | 04.10.09
An international response to maintaining uninterupted freedom of the seas and maintaing maritime law would bring to conclusion a problem that has been in the making for years. Many ships avoid the coastal shores of Somilia and
insurors refuse to pay for piracy in this area forcing many ships to take longer routes to maintain safety. Unforunately, the pirates are now beginning to enter international waters hundreds and thousands of miles from their safe harbors.
29. Bill Seely | 04.10.09
This is why I believe that we should use Seals or other special ops to get the Captain back. If it fails, blow them out of the water and then move on to the villages in Somalia where these guys reside and take them out
Other pirated ships are moving towards this standoff and as they will severely complicate the existing situation, end the crisis now.
30. DWIGHTBAKER | 04.10.09
MY TAKE ON PIRATES
For years in the OLD West, the lawless like to rob stagecoaches, then the driver always took along a man they called riding SHOT GUN to watch the drivers back.
The other matter is that a Captain at sea is the highest authority of over any other.
Now think about pirates from Somalia and what they do when, why and how, and then ask yourself the question who is watching out for all?
Where is that man they called riding SHOT GUN, where are the captains that take on the call to protect all no matter what harm might come to the lawless?
So in these cases of Pirates running rough shod over these giant ships at sea maybe it might just be one more plot laid out to cause Americans to FEAR.
So is that a conspiracy theory NO JUST COMMON SENSE AND REASON GONE AWRY.
Dwight Baker We The Peoples Advocacy WTPA
32. Lowly Wise | 04.10.09
Like most others who have commented here, I don’t think a bleeding heart approach is going to accomplish eradication of this piracy. My gut feeling is that greed, not poverty, is driving these pirates. After all, to be able to afford a ship is not the act of the typical impoverished and backward Somali. Nor is it beyond imagining that they are bankrolled by drug lords, highly-placed criminals, or terrorist groups. If investigation should prove the complicity of any of these entities, the USA and other maritime nations trying to use the seas would have wherewith to strike at root causes. Clean up the immediate offenders and at the same time focus international attention on helping Somalia, and indeed all of Greater Abyssinia, to establish stable and compassionate governments that will enable their citizenry to be economically viable by the standards of civilization.
I will contact my senators and congressman with links to these CSMonitor articles, and will copy my communication to the President, the Vice-President, to the Speaker of the House and to the appropriate committees of both houses of Congress. I would encourage others to do the same. Just because Somalia is dirt-poor it shouldn’t be ignored. While it may have no industry, it still has the coveted coastline, and when it broke off it left Ethiopia and Eritrea landlocked. Surely that fact is worth some official American attention.
34. CharlesL | 04.10.09
If the captain of the seized ship is taken back to Somali, pirates will have won big and the message will be clear: “It’s ok to mess with the US because they won’t do anything.” This problem will escalate into an international crisis.
The consequence of inaction is that this message eventually emboldens other terrorists to commit similar acts, many of which we are still paying for because we failed to follow through with clear and decisive actions. We need not look any further than our unwillingness to hunt down Osama Bin Laden in Tora Bora by stopping at the Pakistan border. And look where we are today.
We didn’t start this fight, but we had better be the ones to end it. Naval blockades with standing shoot-to-kill orders should be our minimum response. We must not let these thugs out of their cages in the first place.
35. dail melton | 04.10.09
Really, with them being out far from land in open water, it really is a “no brainer” unless a storm brews. They kill the hostage, they die. If they want to die, then they’d already have killed the hostage. That hasn’t happened, So…
Let their buds come to their aid. The Navy ain’t going to let them go no where until that hostage is free. They know what will happen if they get to land. But at sea, well, …where are they going to go?
37. D. Muller | 04.10.09
It seems to me that the only way to stop piracy is to take it out at its source, i.e. its safe havens in port. The UN Security Counsel has given the right to pursue pirates on land and there is a reason for that. While action on land may be too late for the current hostage instance, it could certainly help to prevent future such situations.
38. Simplicio T. Soriao | 04.10.09
We must ensure that the crime occurred in international waters before initiating legitimate action or actions. It appears, however, that the piracy transpired within the confines of the Somali coast making it difficult for the United States to initiate military action.
By resorting to a diplomatic solution, we are not giving in to the pirates’ demands because we are dealing with the Somalian government who can exercise better control over them.
Provocation is a good strategy until it dries out. Ferreting out thugs will take a good deal of tact and patience. A lot of cooler heads will do a lot of good too. Actions have consequences and the Somali pirates know this for a fact.
39. Ed Viani | 04.10.09
A little boat with 4 armed men can take over a huge ship. Totally
ridiculous! One way to stop this nonsense is for the shipowners
to hire a professional marksman who’s proficient with
shoulder-launched missile weapons to blow these pirates out of
the water. That’ll stop it.
40. EDDCOOKJR | 04.10.09
OUR PROBLEM IS THAT WE DON’T HAVE THE BACKBONE TO STAND UP TO A HANDFUL OF PIRATES IN A LIFEBOAT. THAT IS PATHETIC ! WOULD OUR FOREFATHERS HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS ? NOT FOR A MINUTE ! NOTE THE RESPONSE OF OUR COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF ITS FORMATION TO THE ATTACK OF THE BARBARY COAST PIRATES. THESE PIRATES WERE BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER-LITERALLY. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. WE MUST ADVISE THE CURRENT DAY PIRATES THAT THEY CAN RELEASE THE CAPTAIN OF THE U.S. VESSEL AND LIVE OR WE WILL SINK THEIR BOAT FROM UNDER THEM. NO NEGOTIATION WITH TERRORISTS !!!
41. walter | 04.10.09
Don’t worry about this situation—-Obama is huddled with his advisors and is, at this very moment, drafting a letter to the United Nations to ask the Somalis to stop this kind of piracy.
42. jane butler | 04.10.09
it seems President Obama continues to show weakness to the outside world (and that was definitely a bow….why lie about it). When he is done his publicity tour of the world and hiring hollywood celebrities to help spread his message then maybe he can get down to the business of being the PRESIDENT of the best country in the world.
43. Replacements | 04.10.09
Sink the Pirate Boat from underneath and let everyone swim for themselves
44. hc | 04.10.09
there in a life boat……we’re in navy destroyers…..marine snipers can hit at 2000 meters…..where’s the issue here. My point is theres too much diplomacy going on, eliminate the threat and end the situation
45. Stephen Montgomery | 04.10.09
Too much fretting about the wrong stuff. Let the military make and execute a plan. We have already acknowledge the area is lawless because of a lack of an effective government so what’s the problem? Drop this nonsense about international law and any so called “rights” some fools imagine the pirates have and take what action necessary to stop this criminal activity.
46. andre | 04.11.09
I think we’re only beginning to see how totally screwed we are under this weak administration. Our military is being systematically dismantled, we are disarming our nuclear capabilities and our president has been travelling around the world apologizing for our actions. Our proud history of not laying down for anyone is a distant memory. North Korea is launching missiles, Iran brags about their nuclear advancements and our leaders smile for the cameras and revel in their rockstar status. God help us all
47. Tab L. Uno | 04.11.09
Piracy seems to be the result of the human need for survival in the country where there isn’t any hope or real possibility of a decent life. These pirates have nothing to lose, except whatever poverty stricken life that had. This is human behavior at its primitive state, recalling back the days when countries would exploit and rape and pillage other countries through warfare.
49. George L. Green | 04.11.09
The situation is about to be compounded by the presencr of the German merchant ship under pirate control appearing on the scene increasing the bargainig power of the pirates many fold. I find it difficult to imagine that within the capabilities of the two naval vessels that they cannot disable the German ship that could merge on scene and create a dynamic change in the hostage situation (take out its rudder or steering engine - most likely not a vessel sinking event) to prevent a multiple hostage compounding situation. This is the time to prove that common sense and superior technology is in fact a viable combination. There are many political messages to be sent with a successful naval solution to this problem vs the continued payout. why not have the UN just write a check to the pirates and let business be business.
50. PiratesSuck | 04.11.09
Other news story says captain jumped off the lifeboat, but was re-captured by the pirates. I guess US Navy wasn’t confident in their ability to take out the pirates without hitting captain … that or they were asleep at the switch.
51. teebubba | 04.11.09
“Skiffs and motherships are heading to the area”. Shoot everyone in the skiffs and sink all motherships. Let God sort them out.
52. chlai88 | 04.11.09
Yes, go send in the marines, seals, missiles whatever you’ve got and blast them to pieces. No problem, simple man ! Then those towns and villages will become ripe fodder one day for whatever terrorist organization to come along and recruit with ease. Too much Hollywood Terminator-style movies and violent Xbox games today breeds maniacs with simple brains…
53. Nemo | 04.11.09
kill.
Them.
All.
These animals don’t deserve the decency of a negotiation, just a quick death.
Of course, as one military analyst mentioned today, this will likely be the case in a few days. He said SEAL teams or the like often strike during rough seas when crews are disoriented and tired.
Also, cargo ships….carry guns ffs. If the heroic crew could whip the pirates on the boat at an armaments disadvantage, an armed and aware crew could turn away many pirate attacks.
54. DEV DE SILVA | 04.11.09
DON’T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS! In Sri Lanka in the past due to International pressure, the past governments had to agree to cease-fire and sit at negotiating tables with the Tiger Terrorists (the world’s most ruthless terorist organization) - and they used this time to strengthen, rearm and intensity their terrorist acts. The present government of Sri Lanka said “enough is enough” and decided to hit back at the terrorists real hard ignoring Interntaitonal pressure. And the result, the terrorists are now cornered and its a matter of time for their complete anihilation. Take a cue from this tiny Island nation - hit the terrorists before they can hit back - and hit them hard. And don’t stop until they are completely wiped out.
55. mj | 04.11.09
Drop some cash while dropping a smoke bomb that will cover the boat and large area, then let navy seals earn their money. What about using some of Russia knockout gas they used once.
56. HeloAV8TR | 04.11.09
We’ve lost our ability to command the seas. You just can’t keep sea lanes safe and open with less than 300 ships and unfortunately, the US Navy just can’t be everywhere at once. However, even if we had more ships, armed H-60s, SpecWar, etc…we still need a solid naval doctrine and a foreign policy from the top down. So, do our leaders still possess the honor, courage, and commitment to make those types of decisions????
57. michael m | 04.11.09
why does this depend on somalia, at all? a US-flagged ship is boarded and the captain held hostage- and obama is thinking about political implications and negotiations? maybe he will appoint a commission to study the matter, have them into the white house for photo ops while they talk about it and wring their hands; now the US can’t cope with a few pirates in a boat, as they should have already: simply, quickly, directly, overwhelmingly, maybe obama can send them a ‘yes we can’ message; but maybe the pirates know their dealing with a country lead by someone who is still campaigning- in the emperor’s new clothes
58. HiloBob | 04.11.09
Bait in as many mother ships as possible, sink the whole mess regardless of hostages, bomb their camps in a coordinated attack, take back the captured vessels, shock and awe… never negotiate with these criminals.
59. you suck | 04.11.09
i’m not sure if some of the things you people are saying are serious, but you can’t just shoot on site or blow a ship with a hostage to pieces. This doesn’t mean the US has lost its power, it simply means we are compromised on the terms of how we do things. i would suggest a snipe, though it might be too risky to do at sea and with a hostage. By the way, paying ransom is the most ridiculous thing you can do. That will cause an outbreak of many more kidnappings and then we’re gonna have to end up for paying for those too. Please people think for a good five seconds.
60. Wagwona Joel | 04.11.09
Where are the Navy SEALs? You guys you’ve got a job to do. This is your game, so play it! You got to sink these pirates and I can volunteer in this.
61. Paul Rye | 04.11.09
The pirates coming to the rescue of the four in the lifeboat with Captain Phillips and holding hostages as human shields must not be allowed to approach the lifeboat, because they cannot be allowed to return to their home port with Captain Phillips as a hostage as well. That would be to completely lose control of the situation.
The pirates will not kill any of the hostages, provided the US Navy makes it clear that their vessels will be sunk in response, should the pirates harm a hostage or try to approach the lifeboat. It needs to be communicated clearly that is no bluff. If the pirates think they can call the Navy’s bluff and decide to test it by killing a hostage or approaching the lifeboat, then the Navy needs to put one shot in the first pirate vessel that tries at the waterline, and pull the pirates and hostages out of the water only after the pirates surrender their weapons and the hostages.
The Navy needs to make it abundantly clear in advance that if the pirates chain or handcuff the hostages below decks, so they go down with the pirate ship, then the pirates will be returned to the U.S., tried for piracy and murder, and promptly executed, or else be extradited to the countries whose citizens they murdered to face justice there.
The four pirates on the lifeboat must not be resupplied with food or water, and a US warship cannot be dedicated to this standoff for months should the lifeboat happen to have enough supplies already on board to do that. At some point, three or fours days it seems should be enough, divers need to approach the lifeboat and put a hole in it with a small charge, same rules as stated above explained in advance.
That is the way it must be, and if American crews want to serve on vessels that sail those waters, they must be prepared to defend their vessels more vigorously against pirates or face the consequent risks of being captured.
The only other alternative is to pay the ransom, get custody of Captain Phillips, and then disable their vessels on the spot without sinking them by putting armor-piercing rounds through their engines and promising to do the same to any more pirate vessels that try to come to their aid. If they kill hostages, then that unfortunately is the problem of the nations who did not do more to solve this pirate problem earlier. The US Navy’s responsibility is to protect US citizens.
62. fred | 04.11.09
It is really interesting to me that the whole piracy situation is now such big news all of a sudden despite the fact is been going on for almost 20 years. The situation will never be fixed unless thier is international efforts to assists somalia redevelop, starting with the UN not saying “somalia is too dangerous to send our forces” and increasing the support of the newly appointed somali government and allow the reformation of the state.I personally hope that this piracy continues and it gains more attention , somalia has needed international attention for decades and its finally now that starved somalis are costing rich countries millions is when attention is finally being given
63. buffaloranger | 04.11.09
Remember WWII? AKA “the last war the US actually won”. German and Japanese civilians were unfortunate casualties. Now the mere possibility of killing one civilian in a precision attack by American forces is unbearable.
Sure we “could” end the pirate threat by destroying the bases from which they operate, but what if we killed a non-pirate in the process? The horror! Our hands are certainly tied…what a joke we have become. A bad joke.
65. Caspar Bullock | 04.11.09
Phone Hereford immediately and request the 22nd Regiment Special Air Service to fly out to the gulf immediately.
On arrival tell the S.A.S- six pirates and one hostage and leave it to them. By the end of the night you will have six Somali bodies floating and one grateful hostage on USS Bainbridge. Though I like the idea of the guy below me to capsize the ship from underneath.
Who dares wins.
66. Caspar Bullock | 04.11.09
Do not negotiate with Pirates. Kill them. Bomb the Mother Ship. Sink all of the life boats except the one the Capt is in, in which case if he is released,
the Pirates would be arrested. Otherwise, everyone killed. First try to kill each Pirate using 4 snipers, one for each Pirate as suggested above. The advice from “Experts” is stupid, as it will just empower the Pirates for future
raids.
67. Gerry | 04.11.09
We failed previously to help the Somalians, they kicked everyone in the guts, made most world leaders and countries look like fools, but still we give aid. Only way to stop these pirates is to give them a goal, if the seek Allah, then give it to them in the way of a guided missle. If they seek some other way, change there government.
68. Tom Clark | 04.11.09
Failure to deal effectively with pirates is simply political correctness taken to the nth degree. Even if America has emasculated itself I’m puzzled by the reluctance of the rest of the world to solve the piracy issue.
69. William H. White | 04.11.09
Pirates are businessmen, not terrorist. If you raise their costs and lower their income enough, they will go out of business.
70. DMB | 04.11.09
KILL THEM ALL (PIRATES) AND LET GOD SORT IT OUT. OUR SLOGAN SHOULD BE IF YOU MESS WITH OUR CITIZENS NO MATTER WHERE YOU WILL GET BURNT….NOT ANOTHER IRAN HOSTAGE SITUATION….PLEASE….PLEASE…
71. Marco | 04.11.09
So America may finally look at the problem cause one of their ships was captured. Bush and his gang wasted 8 years in Iraq while so many real problems have festered.
74. GI JAG | 04.11.09
What is the world coming to when it’s the French who man up and take their people back by force, while the U.S. looks like an indecisive weakling, negotiating with thugs. The danger is far greater than one man’s life if the pirates know that they have a position of strength when they take American hostages.
We need to take those four out so that the message is received: Take a U.S. hostage, end up dead!
75. ben fuller | 04.11.09
As a professional maritime historian, I note that piracy has never been eradicated until the safe haven is dealt with either by invasion, coopting or bribery. Casualties are often part of the solution.
In this particular case as posted above an attack by either a swimmer team or a sub surfacing underneath at night would dump the boat then there are options.
The good news is that if mother ships and small craft are headed for the site that looks like lots of targets to be destroyed or tagged or kept at sea until supplies run low. There are some non lethal ways of disabling a vessel that were pioneered in the cod wars in Icelandic waters in the 1950s and 60s. The issue is hostages. Som may get lost.
76. buildmen | 04.11.09
54 hostages from other countries. 1 American hostage.
1 President, Howmany rulers around the world promoting self interist. (perhaps more than 54)
Maybe I could be reminded why our president appologized to the world for the stuation we (the world) is in. Did we cause pirates too. Who was it that depleated the Somolian coast of fish? could it be the same fishing vessles that strip the rest of the ocean. Was it sent by a greedy capitolist, or a charitable leader trying to feed his people.
Greed gets the whole world, not just America, into problems. At least America had enough rich to support thier military. Lets hope that a few wealthy survive. Perhaps some of those wealthy will continue to be generous enough to pay tax to an overbearing ruling class. Perhaps if we had nothing, then there would be no pirates, just more hungry people.
As a country we must choose carefully. This is not the first hostage. Won’t be the last. Also not the first life to be lost. Hopefully the brave captain will be returned, and can benefit personally from his heroic act. He is a selfless man. Just ask his crew.
77. Common Sense | 04.11.09
Why not place 6-12 man sized heavily armed military “advisors” on ships as they navigate these waters. Apparently there are many international warships in the area which could supply these groups. They could be ferried onto ships and stand watch till out of harms way. Then they are picked up and brought back to the area of the Gulf of Aden / southern Red Sea to be placed on another ship. Eventually after a few lethal incidents the pirates would get the message that the game has changed. I would think that the maritime insurance firms would be willing to pick up some of this cost.
78. Vinny A | 04.11.09
Lets be cool and wait them out in the meantime hook a line to there boat and tow it away from there home base i know there far away now but some movement will change there thinking play with there mind next step is to fine there home base and hit it with a good size bomb a nice wake up call last but not least get other country to move the navy off there coast time to shut them down
79. JohnDoe | 04.11.09
Why are we sending aid to Somalia when they are hijacking us? Let them solve their own problems since the head of their failed govt is a radical Islamist.
80. Joe | 04.11.09
The Navies of the world should just Blow em’ all out of the water. The cost in the short term will be several hostages; The cost in the long term is many more hostage situations, hijackings, instability and chaos.
81. Brad | 04.11.09
why don’t they either send some seals after them or like someone else said. use for snipers and take out all 4 at once and then swoop in and save the captain
82. John W. Bales | 04.11.09
This is a job for the marines, not the Navy. It’s time for “Operation Tripoli”.
83. chef | 04.11.09
In this type os international situation we cannot play the Big Bad Mighty Power nation. It is not our place to play GOD, but hey….We can certainly arrange the “meeting!”
84. we lost | 04.11.09
Obama’s true colors ? Is he Eric Holder’s number one coward ? The American model for cowardice . Why doesn’t he say something ? Maybe he could “bark tough” like he did at North Korea and scare the pirates.
That’s all Mr. Barks-a-Lot would have to do isn’t it. Perhaps that’s all he can do with his “nation of cowards”.
I think he is waiting for the situation to get bad enough to warrant a photo op. Then just watch him sing. I personally cannot believe an American president, if that is really what he is, not doing anything. Not even saying anything. My God people even Clinton would have taken time away from his women long enough to say something. If the great Obama administration doesn’t care about the American Capitan, then why don’t they have the guts to say so and let the navy pull the trigger. This is getting better every day.
85. Caponer | 04.11.09
Piracy is piracy and has been contained in most places with the exception of the Gulf of Aden. There is where it must be destroyed. Sending mother ships with their boats out into the Indian Ocean can be controlled by the use of satellite surveylance and an armed guard on the freighters who desire protection. The Gulf of Aden can be made a graveyard for any small craft until the piracy is stopped. Attacking the ports from which these small pirate craft come would be counterproductive.
86. golyad | 04.11.09
I belive in couse and effect, some thing to happen there should be a couse for it, and as per the somali pirat its the injsutice hapening to thier country that led them to so, there fore to avoide this exploitation and mistreatment should be avoided unless and other wise this will continue advesly.
87. Nekidcivilservant | 04.11.09
My solution is this-give them 24 hours to hand over the captain or die. Then blow them all up regardless.
88. David M | 04.11.09
Play the same game the pirates are playing. Threaten to blow up the pirates assets if they do not release the hostages. Their assets would include their pirate boats in port and the nice houses they have built with pirate ransom. Keep blowing up their assets until they submit to our demands. If they still refuse to submit to our demands then give innocent civilians one hour to evacuate, then level everything they own with cruise missiles and shore bombardment. Make it impossible for them to commit piracy.
The other alternative is armed convoys of merchant ships, just like WW2 in the North Atlantic. Any small boat that gets within a mile of the convoy gets gunned down. 85 foot fast patrol boats could do this relatively inexpensively.
89. jack b | 04.11.09
Are people really so naiive to think that by “taking out” a few pirates, they will end these acts.
Desperate people do desperate things to survive and when local fisherman can no longer fish, due to competition from large international fishing fleets in their terrtorial waters, they turn to piracy.
The very fact that almost none of the hostages in the past have been harmed shows that that these people are not killers, but fisherman who have no other way to make a living or support their families.
This isnt a movie, its a complex set of problems that will take the will of the international community to solve.
Lets stop “dumbing down” these issues and treat them with some depth of intelligence which we have got so used to demonstrating.
90. pirates 1 America 0 | 04.11.09
This is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Now I hear they have hijacked a U.S. tugboat. Man is this getting good. I am about to switch my alliance to the pirates. My dad told me to always go with the winner, never a looser. Next thing you hear about a dozen or so pirates will take over the navy ship USS Bainbridge. How funny can it get ? I bet old Black Beard is dancing in his grave . Go pirates !!! Even the FRENCH wouldn’t put up with it. They put a group of pirates down. Cost them one of their own, and the bleeding hearts will probably sue them. I am sure the poor pirates have rights. They certainly have a right to make a living. I hear Jesse Jackson is taking the NAACP and the ACLU over to France to protest on behalf of the poor pirates. The good old American way. Where is Obama, rolling Easter eggs and playing with his secret puppy ? And the bureaucrats in Washington just keep singing their sweet song. One excuse after another. And they still cannot understand why the public is so bitter.
91. Robert Benit | 04.11.09
From Toronto - Canada
All of the countries around the world need to stop this kind of crimes .. Also Yes, The pirates should be pursued on land too.
92. lightnin | 04.11.09
With the greatest military resources in the world, Obama can’t rescue one American from four peon pirates in a small boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Incompetence is an excellent reason for Impeachment. IMPEACH that loser NOW!
93. I M Nemesis | 04.11.09
What an asinine article. The situation has nothing to do about the ability of the navy to “take out” a rowboat full of raggety peasants. The whole situation is caused by a bunch of weak spined, politically correct, politicians.
We need to start showing some backbone and intelligence or we will be targets for every miscreant in the world.
Come on Obama, show some guts for once or are you going to talk them out of it ? Hmmmmmmmm??
94. richard sinclair | 04.11.09
let those blackwater people ride shotgun on the endangered ships; they’d probably do so for free
95. lightnin | 04.11.09
Obama’s incompetence and impotence are painfully obvious here. McCain would have had this over with long ago. Impeach Obama for incompetence.
96. jim | 04.11.09
Pay the ransom,we already paid out billions to CEO’S of failed financial institutions so they could have a party and get bonus’s, so who cares? after we get the captain back, kill the pirates, simple.
97. Robin | 04.11.09
Everyone’s all impatient for the US side to do something. They are doing something. They’re waiting. It’s the smartest thing they could do. If the captors had three or more hostages, they could kill one to force a concession. But with only one hostage, they don’t have that option. They need to keep this guy alive and conscious for their own survival. Meanwhile they’re stranded at sea. Unless a storm approaches (which we’d know from satellite data), time is not on their side!
98. Alpenglow | 04.11.09
The frequently proposed solution of ‘hitting them back harder’ (killing,razing, signing a declaration(!)) is no longer a viable solution to these kinds of problems born in failed states (Shock and Awe in assymetrical warfare has proven impotent Iraq & Afghanistan, and exacerbated terrorism/security problems world-wide). It is beyond belief that the question remains unanswered from 8 years ago: “why do they hate us”…until that is confronted, and until the inequitable distribution of wealth on our blue marble is addressed, security in all its definitions will remain elusive to those of us with the good sense to have been born in the first world.
99. wishlist | 04.11.09
These comments are moronic. You guys think force is the only solution, because you are weak. Somalia has become what it is because of our(the US) terrible foreign policies. It is a no brainer cause doesn’t seem like anyone posting here has any.
100. Brandon M | 04.11.09
This is a tough call. The patriotic side of me me says, ” Navy Seal team to the rescue, send the pirates to Davy Jones’ locker.” Unfortunately, our country is already seen as the International bully. Waiting has not been good for our position and now we are being watched by the world. This is a good test to see how Obama is going to lead us for the next 4 years, but I have not heard him say too much yet. What would McCain do??????
102. Jim | 04.11.09
“As the chief of the courts said, Somalia never had these problems 20 years ago. Then the US landed and screwed the country up - totally anarchy prevailed. A few years ago, the courts established law and order and what did the US do? Sent gunships to kill the judges because they were ‘fundamentalists’. When you drive someone with their backs to the wall, they take to the high seas.”
You may want to get your history lesson from somewhere else. Try learning:
1. When we went there?
2. Why?
3. Who asked us to?
4. Who sent us there?
5. When we left?
6. Why we left?
I was entertained reading your response though, but someone has to reply to it because dumber people may believe it actually has merit.
103. brian b | 04.11.09
why do they call terrorist pirates now?
obama’s response: stick your head in the sand.
104. John Shreffler | 04.11.09
It is unbelievable that 4 or 5 criminals in a tiny boat can board a huge cargo ship. They would be highly vulnerable as they positioned ladders. One man with a rifle peeking over the gunwale 40 feet above could pick them all off in a minute. Some of the comments from the “experts” on TV lately are ridiculous. One said there would have to be a whole company of commandos on every ship…too expensive. Another said a single gun shot would cause a ship to blow up. Another said only a highly trained military person can load, aim, and fire a weapon properly. Tell that to the NRA. When I was 10 years old, I amused myself shooting crows at 200 feet with a .22 That is about all it would take.
105. Ron | 04.11.09
Kill them quit playing games we need to quit being passive and blow these people away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
106. Frank Stein | 04.11.09
The appropriate military response is a three step escalation. Step one is a flight of 3 B-52’s that lay down their pattern of conventional gravity bombs in the waters visible from the Pirate port of Ely. The point is a visible demonstration of power. This is followed by an offer that if all ships are freed we will stop. Step two is the same strike but this time the target is on open land as close to Ely as possible without undue casualties. The purpose is to make the ground jump and the overpressure uncomfortable throughout the city. Simultaneous with this is a promise that the next strike will level Ely. This is delivered by air dropped messages. A round of negotiations follow seeking all ships. If these fail then take out the Port and continue to take out coastal Somali targets from the air until there are no centers for food, fuel or habitation. At no point are soldiers inserted except to take ships back. Enough is enough. Paying simply leads to more pain and paying. You end criminality by force.
107. US Marines | 04.11.09
It’s sickening to say, imply or act like we can’t do anything. The problem with politicians (who unfortunately command the muscle in nearly every modern, civil nation) is they want some kind of wholistic solution. No one gives a flip about this country and anyone there with the means and half a brain has already left anyway.
We go in guns blazing. This has got to stop and it’s a flatout lie that we “can’t do anything about it.” We have politicians with no intestinal fortitude or any idea of how to deal with scourges like this. The only “language” these guys understand is FORCE. You want to know how to handle this? Let them hijack an Israeli ship… THEN we’d see a demonstration of “what to do” that everyone else clueless could pattern themselves after. Praise to the French who took up the same course. We need to send a clear signal to these guys. You do this and here’s what you get: Guns blazing, you get nothing but a hail of bullets. No money. EVER. It’s keeps going on because we allow it to work.
Then, the international response should be: the Somalis loose the use of their coast. We bring in the guns, rake the coast and create 100 mile buffer zone of their coast. The international coalition now owns the coast of Somali. No one is allowed to live in the 100 mile buffer zone. That’s the end of it.
It’s got to stop.
108. whatajoke | 04.11.09
Mr. Obama talks about making us a PROUD nation again and we should set an example for the rest of the world..How about taking pride in your OWN people (the AMERICAN people that is)and protect them at all cost. We send a ship over there with supplies for them and this is how we are treated in return. Mr Obama –take care of the people and this nation that placed you in power –protect U.S. first!!!After you have taken care of the American people then you can worry about everyone else. Our founding fathers must be turning in their graves!!!! GET THE CAPTAIN BACK!!! USE OUR Military– You Are The Commander,Chief, And dare I say “Father” of this Great Country—Protect U.S. all as if we were YOUR OWN FAMILY
109. Chris | 04.11.09
I was in Somalia for the capture of Adid in October of 1993, Gothic Serpent for those interested in the research, and clearly recall the last failed diplomatic solution to Somalia, and would hate to see us expose a single American to their breed of captivity. Place a small shaped charge under the life boat and sink it. Once the pirates are in the water the situation resolves itself.
Under no circumstances can the pirates be granted safe passage with the Captain back to the mainland for future negotiations. They should be captured, tried and executed in accordance with maritime law.
As a prior service member who fought for his nation I have to say I find this whole thing quite discouraging. This is an act of war, and in war people are killed. Sometimes these people are American Citizens, be it military or civilain personel, and most times it is the enemy. Kill the pirates, storm the support vessels the pirates sent to the region, reclaim all of the ships, and be done with this. Every day we sit and talk we make them bolder and put more lives at risk which is just not a viable option.
WE CAN NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS.
110. An African | 04.11.09
Fighting pirates should start from land not from the sea. the root causes for this dilemma has to do with the failed state in somalia and the failed US policy in the horn of Africa. African problems needs African solutions.
112. Jim | 04.11.09
It is very hard for the Navy to respond to this threat. Navy warships are exactly that. They’re designed to detect and engage other warships. These pirates have evolved an elaborate strategy to effectively negate any military response. Furthermore, you’re talking about patrolling an immense area of water. You can’t be everywhere at once and you can’t simply blow up every fishing vessel which might be a pirate ship. This is not what our military were designed to do so they are poorly adapted to dealing with this kind of threat. The fact is however in most cases these pirates mean no harm to their hostages, they just want money. There are very few opportunities for young men in Somalia to earn an honest living or get a good education so they have turned to this because so far it’s been quite lucrative. The same is true of many street gangs right here in America. I have no sympathy with these pirates, but it is rather obvious that if they were terrorists they would have simply executed the entire crew, let alone this one man. So it’s really kind of a classic standoff. There is really little the military can do except try to contain the situation while the FBI negotiate the release of the Captain. Most military analysts believe that the only solution to this crisis is to stabilize the government and economy of Somalia. Otherwise this threat to maritime shipping will continue.
113. Mcat | 04.11.09
Quemann above has the only real solution. We could have peace around the world if we really wanted it. Unfortunately, the people with control of all the money do not desire peace. They use unrest and terrorism to maintain power.
114. Disappointed | 04.11.09
Snipers… I don’t understand why this is being blown so largely out of proportion. Just have snipers on the warship initiate a simultaneous take out of the pirates sitting in their stupid little rowboat. Giving idiots like this worldwide attention will only prompt others to follow, if not for the money, then only for the same negative attention. GET IT OVER WITH!!
115. BBB | 04.11.09
I agree with sending in the Navy Seals they need the training anyway. Get our hostage back, kill all the pirates at sea, then send in the jets and bomb their strongholds back to the stoneage.Lets see if they can take anymore ships in dugout canoes. Im tired of Amerca turning the other cheek!!
116. RichardEH | 04.11.09
An international response??????? That is a joke. An international response consist of 90% American troops. If a incoiant civilan is killed then the US is protrated as a bully. We have a president in place now that feels that he must travel the world and apoligze for the past “international responces”. Stop pasafing these people and respond with the only thing they understan………….force.
117. hadenough | 04.11.09
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME what planet are we living? Ok, so let me get this straight - since “foreign trawlers” have somehow prevented these criminals from making a living, they were forced to resort to stealing from, and terrorizing others to “survive”? Why is that fact (if true) relevant to the story? It does not justify the wrong, period. The only possible situation such a statement could be made legitimate is if these thugs were taking over those trawling vessels; and even that’s a stretch. That is not the case. They ARE stealing other’s property, taking lives and terrorizing other human beings. And we are negotiating with them? Really?!
I am equally astounded by some of these posts blaming anyone other than these crooks for this situation - especially those of you blaming the U.S. This is the exact mindset that is running “the greatest country in the world” into the ground. Christ, look at history!
The most troubling of this whole situation is that it confirms our Country’s weakness. These thugs have been committing these acts for years, but never, until now, have they even attempted pulling this nonesense on an American flagship. Timing is no coincidence. God help us.
I just hope that our Commander and Chief has refused comment to the Nation and to this Captain’s family because it would jeapordize the strategy. Here’s to “hope.”
118. IronIC | 04.11.09
Unfortunately, the bobbing up & down of the lifeboat probably makes it difficult, if not impossible, for snipers to ‘take out’ the pirates. They should’ve had some snipers in place, however, just in case the captain tried to make his getaway.
I’m sure the pirates all thought they would be dead once they were isolated from the captain, when he tried to swim away. The fact that they were able to round him back up and keep the stalemate alive represents a massive blunder on the part of the US navy.
This captain is a brave man, and I’m sure he was counting on some backup when he tried to escape. I guess this is the type of performance we’ll see from an Obama administration. Bowing to foreign kings, spending like a drunken sailor, and allowing pirates to dominate in such a ridiculous situation.
Once again, now that a democrat is president, our prestige around the world is back in the toilet. Hunker down, people…hunker down and ride it out…
119. Renate | 04.11.09
Monitored by a drone, the captain of this vessel gave the US NAVY a window of opportunity to end this event. The very moment he was separated and free from that lifeboat…. sink the lifeboat, one shot, dispatch a rescue team. This Captain…provided them with that opportunity. Why else would seasoned a mariner, jump into open sea, unless he thought someone was watching?
120. Joe | 04.11.09
I think we continue to misunderstand these vibrant people. Of course they are angry that we would use the sea lanes near their shores to make money off of their backs. Thank goodness President Obama is in office– he’ll make the greedy American companies pay off these poor, impoverish souls.
Obama - Change we can believe in.
121. Terry | 04.11.09
I’m Irish and have been observing the Somali pirate problem for some time in the news. I am baffled as to why the world is allowing these robbers to hold nations to ransom and collect vast sums of money for their activities. If the Allies could protect the Atlantic convoys in World War 2 and eventually turn the tide of battle against the Nazi U-Boat scourge with small ships in a large ocean, then why can we not protect shipping against these latter-day Long John Silvers with all the intelligence gathering equipment and weaponry at our disposal. Come on, turn on them with extreme prejudice. Use every means to find them and blow them out of the water, no matter what part of the ocean they operate in. Make sure they have no hiding place.
With regard to the American captain, I’d make the pirates an offer: release him now and we’ll let you live. If you don’t then we’ll kill you and as many of your friends as possible. Every pirate boat we find find will be a target.
The money you demand will be useless to you when you’re dead.
The United States certainly has the capability, use it and there will be many who will be grateful.
122. dan Rodin | 04.11.09
Perhaps Obama could request french assistance in freeing the hostage since we clearly lack the capability and will.
123. T | 04.11.09
The high level of ignorance displayed by some of these post is simply amazing. Terrorist target their enemy; these people have NO such discrimination. And no, you don’t respond to every international conflict with a military invasion. Hasn’t Irag taught us anything? Even with its direct cause and affect on our economy, some people STILL think that a military invasion is the only way to deal with conflict. Maybe they need to lead the way and maybe come back to find their homes in foreclosure to understand that a military action is not the first one taken all of the time.
There is a reason why this is happening. If others essentially took your main means of living, yet traveled through your back yard with no regard for your livelihood, I suspect that many of you would take similar measures. It’s the POLICY, don’t you get it?
124. Naresh R. Shah | 04.11.09
Along with petroling ships, all the participating controuties should employ air force to move in speedy and bomb the pirate boats if they neglect warnings.
125. Rugsmart | 04.11.09
The answer is two members of the military per ship, armed with stingers and large caliber automatic weapons. Upon the approach of a pirate boat, fire the missle and take out the ship.
The cost to be paid by the shipping companies and the militia used would be according to the flag flown by each ship.
Done. No mercy. No Discussion, just preventative force. This will all stop real quick.
126. MARLO | 04.11.09
Send in the Navy Seals and when they free our American captain, kill all of the pirates on the sea and on land. Obama MUST take some positive action instead of saying “WE’RE SORRY”, “WE’RE SORRY” across Europe.
127. Mike Justice | 04.11.09
I have not read much about the irony that our (yes I mean “our”) container ship was bringing food to Kenya when it was invaded by Somali pirates. This irony is beginning to sound all too familiar. Despite the continued slaps in the face, I actually applaud the Obama tone in his recent world tour. He has shown his willingness to try something new in addressing our enemies directly, with undeniable, clear deference and respect to nations of all religions. I see strength in admitting that at times in the past this nation has made mistakes. Now that we are clearly on a new, bold course I am very anxious to see the global response. Based on their stated complaints of the past, Al Qaeda should be calling off their terrorist attacks. Arab nations should be rallying around us, as should all the rest of our supposed allies. If (when?) this does not occur, I’ll be waiting for our President to make good on the stated promise from his inaugural address “We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.” I see the defeat of the Somali pirates as a first, easy test.
Mike Justice
128. Karlee | 04.11.09
Where oh where is our ‘cowboy’ George Bush when we need him. Shouldn’t have elected a girlie girl. Please help our Captain. Quickly.
129. ABowers13 | 04.11.09
Lets blockade the Somalia coast. NO boats allowed out without proper documentation. Sink any boat that tries to run the blockade. We not only have ships that can blockade the ports but also helicopters for aerial reconnasence. And stop ALL payments to pirates. And go after money already paid and take it back from banks.
Thomas Jefferson put a stop to the Barbery pirates. Surely our modern navy has as much capability as the US Navy did 300 years ago.
Call the navy admirals in and demand a plan.
130. Scott | 04.11.09
Rest assured, the USN is being held back but our Polical Leadership. If given the order to engage, our Sailors would ensure the high seas would not be an environment the criminals could act with impunity. We may have the bigger guns, but not the political will to allow our sailors to protect human life in international waters.
131. Hiram M Maxwell | 04.11.09
We do NOT have an incapable Navy! We have a chicken in the white house, turkeys in congress and a big mouth dimwit for secretary of state. Had this group been around earlier in our history, we would still be under the king of England or possibly speaking German.
132. Arnold | 04.11.09
Most of you need to put down the XBOX controller and the can of Coke and realize that the problem here isn’t force, it’s the delicacy of negotiating the valuable life of one over the meaningless life of others. These pirates have nothing to lose and just about everything to gain. They don’t care if they die. The hostage on the other hand does, as does the American public. That’s the whole point in taking a hostage.
133. tttttttttt | 04.11.09
What do you expect? Owners continue to send their ships through these waters unarmed, and then they pay the ransoms. With stupidity like that we can expect this not only to continue, but to escalate. It’s enough to make every young boy in Somalia want togrow up to be a pirate.
135. ben | 04.11.09
These are all crazy ideas. I think people are watching too many “Mission Impossible” movies on Showtime. You can’t go around blowing things up just so you hope to see the footage on CNN from someone’s phone camera.
The problem is that most of our power is designed for large confrontations–and sometimes being a David to our Goliath has strategic advantages. Intelligent use of power is sometimes knowing when to use diplomatic versus military resources. Consider the backlash from even pin-point strikes of villages–killing innocent civilians along with pirates on land. We have become too immune to such actions employed half-way around the world against terrorists in Pakistan so that it seems that much less strange to go around blowing up those who are not terrorists–just desperate thieves.
Also consider the one detail ignored by just about every comment above–other nations of the world share some of the blame for Somali poverty–overfishing in their territorial waters so that their fisherman are that much more desperate.
136. Bogart | 04.11.09
Seems the US Navy should just lay in wait until they hook up with their mother ship, rescue the capt with SEALS and then waste every last one of the pirates, including their children. Enough is enough. Come on Obama, get with the program.
137. sheri | 04.11.09
I agree…get the US Navy Seals involved, free the captain, retake the boat! We need to get tough and stop being pushed around…set an example to all the others thinking about a future “Pirate” attack.
138. George M | 04.11.09
Ships should run bare cable with 440 volts around the ships along with razor wire.After we fry a few pirates they will get the message.
We need to shoot a few holes in the lifeboat and that will force the pirates into the water and greet them with Navy Seals. Let the Somalis know we will show them what poverty really is after we bomb their ports and land bases.
139. JaneR. | 04.11.09
Being in international waters does not give the pirates a right to terrorize innocent victims. The world community should not be ignoring this situation and things need to change. Terrorism and lawlessness should not be condoned in international waters.
140. Don Li | 04.11.09
Why not simply use all these Naval vessels in the area to blockade the Somali coast? The problem seems to be that the area under attack is too large to effectively patrol. Why not narrow the problem down? If the Somalis can’t get out, then they can’t harass commercial vessels. Anyone who submits to a cargo search can “go fishing”, anyone who will not deserves to be sunk at that point.
141. Lonne | 04.11.09
I think the American captain would be willing to give his life for the pirates to lose and not win this situation…ultimately
142. Rinaldo Jonass | 04.11.09
Why don’t the ship owners hire a merc force to protect the ships and/or take out the pirates on their own home ground?
143. Beau | 04.11.09
All we need to do is wait until every single Somali has settled in the United States. Then, there won’t be any more piracy….at least not in Somalia. At the rate things are going, that should take about five years.
144. Will S. | 04.11.09
Makes you wonder where the trillions of dollars for Defense have gone. We need our War Department back. At least it was undefeated.
145. Roman D | 04.11.09
I agree with several mentioned items,sub underneath to get them into survival and shoot them like rats. Why didn’t the navey ship destroy the pirates when the capt jumped overboard? Hunt them down and hang em off the yard arm as an example to the others.
Where is the outrage ?
Or
is there some hidden agenda that we are not being told about that stops the eradication of this scum
146. wisdom needed | 04.11.09
First of all, I hope that the sea captain come back to his family safely. And those pirates put to justices. I am originally from Somalia. I am sad to say that Somali people suffered greatly mostly on their own doing and the actions of the international community. The powers to be supported the war lords- the same ones that killed many of their people and made peace impossible. With no help coming and no place to turn the Union of Courts (as the name implies – group effort) come together and for the first time in many years pacified the Capital city. People started returning and instead of helping those groups what the international community do? pay Ethiopia military invade that country – what the Ethiopian military do? Displace about million people; killed thousands and shell unarmed citizens in the name of fighting terror. Now there is a new government in place that came about through the United Nation sponsored process. It is not perfect because some of them are criminals who killed their own people but nevertheless many believe it will work if the international community supports the government by helping provide basic things that many who have never been in war zone took it for grant like peace, local police etc. One thing is clear, military intervention will not work and will make matters worse - as for the pirates no one should have any mercy for them. But remember fishing became unsustainable for many Somali fishes because the big fishing international ships gather fish from the Somalia coast; without licenses just because there is no government. It has been reported that some countries dump nuclear waste in the coastal sea of Somalia. Let hope the sea captain gets back safely; and the Somalis people stand up on their and start living again- for the pirates to disappear.
147. KENNY L | 04.11.09
TO SAVE THE CAPTAIN. WHY DONT THEY TRY DIVERS GOING IN BELOW THE PIRATE BOAT AND SINKING IT. THEN WHEN THE BOAT SINKS THEY CAN SAVE THE AMERICAN AND LET THE OTHERS DROWN.
148. John R. Affleck | 04.11.09
Small targets; small weapons; one word; sniper. It’s very simple. trivial really. Pursued on land? There aren’t any pirates on land. The appeal for “aid for stability on land” is nauseating. It’s called blackmail, in eras and areas where logic and reason prevail.
149. Ernest Adams | 04.11.09
Shipping operates on razor-thin margins. Shipping insurance companies charge a whole lot more if a ship is armed — and of course it just leads to an arms race. For the shippers, the cost/benefits analysis says to take the risk of going unarmed and pay the occasional ransom when you throw snake eyes. It’s cheaper.
Decatur was attacking large pirate ships in an area of state-sponsored piracy — his opponents capitulated because they had something to lose, their countries. The Somali pirates are all freelancers. They are under nobody’s control. Threatening a Somali city would mean nothing to them.
Blockade might work… if we could blockade a 1,879-mile coastline.
150. Ron C | 04.11.09
The navy Seals should have been involved in the beginning. Pull the boat out to sea and tip it over. Capture the pirates and them have all the pirates that have come out to help blasted out of the water. It is time for the world to stand up to these pirates because they are terrorists.
151. R. D. Moore | 04.11.09
This incident goes to show how weak we are as a nation and how politics has ruined our country. The FBI shouldn’t even be involved. Blow their butts out of the water. Shoot em all!!!
152. Alex | 04.11.09
The solution seems so clear. These guys are in an open boat. Bring the Navy ship in range, deploy snipers, and shoot the pirates. Piracy is still a capitol crime on the open sea - death to pirates! What fool decided that negotiation was even an option?
153. Leo | 04.11.09
“Once upon a time America was a powerful nation.” I think it’s still powerful. Power is usually defined as having wealth and military might.
But power can take on other forms. It appears to me from various speeches, that the new Administration wants to try to reach out for those crying for help. It won’t be easy, it never is.
But people of all nations, want to live better, to feed their families, to be free. They don’t want to constantly beg for foreign aid, but rather want the means to help their country become more self-reliant and be masters of their soil.
The piracy outbreak can be viewed a symptom of deeper problems not only in Somalia, but other nations also. A warning sign so to speak. There will always be groups of bullies and these will be dealt with. Ironically some pirates may view others like bullies and pirates.
But who will take the lead to begin to resolve the problems with Somalia and other countries in the region. America. This shows power via leadership. Lets listen to the concerns of all parties and not haste in implementing convenient solutions.
154. robert | 04.11.09
…..so Somali says give us money and we will protect you looks like the pirates are not the only one holding
hostages to get millions from as your article says
“donor countries”
155. Dreamer | 04.11.09
“Wow. Once upon a time America was a powerful nation that wouldn’t have tolerated these pirates. What happened ?”
Barack Obama!
156. Holland Marshall | 04.11.09
It is amusing to to read that an American warship is watching four lightly armed men in a lifeboat while the pirates are sending reinforcements, more unarmed vessels to protect the lifeboat.
So what are the Americans doing; sending in more warships. Why?
The Americans are looking like fools.
157. Angie | 04.11.09
Just shows how only a few can hold off an entire navy.
Clearly the Navy is on the wrong ship.
OK….put really well armed and trained men on these ships from the Suez to when the ships reach safe waters. Pick them up on a rotational basis.
Really well armed so that these pirates cant even get close.
Try it and see if the pirates like facing the barrel of a gun before they even get on the ship. Flammable ships may still need flanking escort.
Angie
158. Willow | 04.11.09
Isn’t interesting, how all of a sudden, we americans now have an opinion of these pirate activities despite this decade long problem? As usual, every american is now an expert on some foreign land and culture they didn’t even know existed until 5 minute ago. Imagine this- China, Russia, Scandinavia, Italy, France, India, Japan and every other nation fishing just a few miles off the shores of North Carolina. Taking your resources. Wouldn’t you get pissed? Wouldn’t you say… ‘Hey, screw this… our children are starving… let’s do something about it?’ Well, that’s what’s really going on here. Want to stop crime? Help stabilize Somalia. Help build an economy and end poverty.
159. bart | 04.11.09
Patience please, “skiffs and motherships are heading to the area” lets get ‘em all together and take out more than one.
160. Conserving | 04.11.09
I’m very pleased with the sentiment of the comments here. You can believe an advisor and strategist has already delivered the plan of active control through the appropriate channels. We have satellites that can read the serial number on a dollar bill - we have the ability just not the green light.
161. time to try and think | 04.11.09
Our (US) foreign polity is the reason people have resorted to piracy in that part of the world. Our ongoing position on Somalia has created this issue. There is no government in there because the US refuses to allow one to form. Also no one here has the courage to talk about the dumping of toxic waist off shore there and the fact that their coastline has been completely fished out by the international community (cause they can’t enforce their own waters). You want stability, snipers won’t bring that. Allowing the people of Somalia to govern without the interference of the US will straighten this out much faster than another war, which is what these comment are really about.
162. Ann Gasser | 04.11.09
I have been following this story since it unfolded and am very disappointed at the ineffective response of both the US navy and the Obama administration. This situation is just escalating and I fear the outcome will be grim. A once and mighty nation has been laid low by four pirates in a life boat. I feel for the brave captain and can only imagine what was going through his mind when he jumped into the water and no one from the big American ship came to his defense. Where is all the military technology that we citizens pay for in this botched scenario. Yes we need to address the Somali country’s poverty, and by we I am referring to the world community not just US. But first we need to end this crisis and end it soon!
163. Paul | 04.11.09
Pull the plug on the life boat and watch everyone jump out and try to swim. I am sorry if the captian gets hurt in the rescue, but the U.S. needs to take a strong, do not negotiate with pirates attitude or this will never end.
164. john | 04.11.09
just puzzled as to as to why the author of this article calls sending a bunch of international ships with no authority to actually do anything a naval response? its called scarecrows and its not working. without using the force you have all you do is encourage them to grab more hostages since they know that protects them. people keep worrying about the current hostages and forget about the future ones and as we see the number goes up and up.
165. TomM | 04.11.09
Ask yourselves,what would George Bush do to resolve this pirate debacle? President Obama, have you thought about contacting him for advice since you are obviously very hesitant in acting?
166. Lawrence Anthony | 04.11.09
I love it. Naval lobbyist implore politicians to spend more money on a navy. Why? So when there’s a naval crisis like the current mess off the coast of Somalia Navy strategists say, “oh, we can’t really do anything. You know it’ll take a political solution”. What am I not getting here? Is it a case of the proverbial pass the buck? What’s going on in Somalia is the perfect scenario for an international military intervention both on sea and land. Instead Americans are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. What am I not getting here? You have a perfect military crisis that would hardly raise even a whisper of controversy because it would be virtually absolutely justified and yet military powers don’t want to use their military. Please tell me what am I not getting?
167. Zee | 04.11.09
What are the Navy doing, is there anything called ”put them to sleep” spray the area of the life boat with whatever can safely lie them low. They breathe the substance thru the air, it must be a fast acting agent…
168. Vlad from Israel | 04.11.09
Political solution! With pirates! Is this your last invention, Americans? Where are your fangs? Or you lost them finally, former great country? You have to be retired as a nation! All your atomic aircraft carriers are decorations not more ’cause there are no strong spirit behind.
169. enough already | 04.11.09
just shoot the pirates!
Next they will be bringing them to the US, giving them public housing, food stamps etc.
170. Tom Branham | 04.11.09
It is easy to armchair quarterback, but we have warships with choppers and seal teams being stood off by 4 guys with ak-47’s something is wrong with this picture.
I am praying for the Capt. survival, but I am if full agreement that this should not stop in the ocean but continue on the shore as well. In the marine corps hymn the shores of tripoli was to fight pirates. We are the best equiped and best trained fighting force in the world so 4 guys should be no problem long.
Pres. Clinton was able to send a cruise over to Somalia. Pres. Obama should be able to act and do something to stop this problem once and for all.
We need to stop these 3rd rate countries from kicking sand in our faces and earn the respect we once had as the world leader once again.
If we are depending on the government to save us, this is very dishearting.
171. d | 04.11.09
Like how hard would it be to send some Seals w/ dive gear in for some late night house cleaning?
172. Matthew | 04.12.09
The Somoli pirates have an income of about 15 million a year. They are broken down into five groups, and all of those groups are Sunni Mulim. They are absed out of Puntland and consider themselves to be a n offshoot of the official government. The constitution in their state demands that everyone be muslim, and leaving is forbidden on pain of death.
This is not the first time we have had problems with this group. The first time was in 1801-1805 and then again in 1815-1816. Their ambassador told Jefferson and Adams, when they tried to re-negotiate the millions we were paying them as “tribute” (Yes, congress voted to pay them to leave us alone), when asked why they attacked our vessels… “the ambassador ansered us that it was founded on the laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknoweledged their authority were sinners, and that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Musselman (muslim) who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.” The ambassador said that the pirate crews were inspired to “the most despirate valor and enterprise” by the promise of a slave and an extra share of the loot to the first crewman to board an enemy ship. He was paraphrasing the Koran’s rules of Engagement, the 47th Surah.
173. ant1 | 04.12.09
first - i dont understand how no team was ready when the captain made an attempt to escape.
underwater, bullets don’t do much - you can’t aim due to the change in angles and bullets lose their power due to the density of water. A team underwater with a ready oxygen supply would have resolved the standoff. Possibly no such team was sitting under the boat, or nearby, and if it isn’t now, it should be around the clock.
With that strategic puzzle aside, the bigger issue is not the single instance of the brave captain and his cpators. This is finally something that the US can marshall as a just cause in the international community. Deploy some real firepower and intelligence to dismantle the pirates and their ransom networks. It’s been done by other intelligence agencies. The US should take a leading role in a strong and well placed retaliation using military and intelligence assets.
Letting merchant marines of any nationality be the spearheads for this issue is shameful for all powers that can afford to make an impact on high seas piracy. This should be a military effort not a reactive approach to citizens who get placed in harms way due to inaction. Politically this would be a wise move if supported by the international community.
174. wheels | 04.12.09
Great ideas. How about infared sencing to locate targets inside life boat. Shoot em all at once. Of course followed by 2 weeks carpet bombing of Somali.
175. Dev de Silva | 04.12.09
These freaking idiots are challenging the rest of the world and the rest of the world is talking of negotiations!!!!! Now that several countries vessels and crew are involved, its time to say enough is enough and send an armada of warships from each country and threaten invasion and complete destruction of the country unless they release all of the hostages unconditionally. Its time to hit them hard and destroy everything they possess - even if it means some Somali bystanders are going to be hurt. Since they have no law and order in that country, its time to enforce some.
176. greg foulger | 04.12.09
Contact the mothers and/or other close family members of the pirates. Ask them to intervene and convince the pirates to give up in exchange for a lighter sentence. Nothing to lose and they might go for it as they have very few options in the long run.
177. A_Thousand_Clowns | 04.12.09
This is a no-brainer. Julius Caeser is said to have solved his own kidnapping this way. He told his forces to pay the ransom for his release. He was released. He then tracked down his kidnappers and killed them.
Put micro-radio transmitters within the ransom money. Secure the captain and allow safe passage of the pirates back to the Somali shores. Program a cruise missile with the GPS coordinates provided reeal-time by the radio transmitters. End of ransom money and end of pirates with the money.
A great deterrent against future hostage-taking. No point to take a hostage if you know they’ll give the money only to blow you up later.
178. JL (France) | 04.12.09
Use some of the billions of dollars which are going to be wasted again on the Palestinians to improve the situation in Somalia.
179. Jim Doyle | 04.12.09
I thought that Hollywood and Johnny Depp made Pirates lovable people. The Somali pirates are simply men who want to make enough money to buy a nice house, a nice SUV and put groceries on the table for their wives and children. Many Somali men have several wives which is enough to motivate any man to get out of the house and hit the sea looking for adventure and loot.
Many of the posters on this web site are blood thirsty and just want to see how many people they can get killed. I think the solution is simple. Pay ransom, guarantee safe passage back to Somalia ,get the captain back and go on with life. Those who are so gung ho about Navy Seals assaulting the lifeboat wouldn’t feel that way if they were the person being held as hostage. Which is most important money or human life. If the Captain is killed the insurance company for the ship will pay more than $2 million.
These pirates have earned the money. Give them immunity, bring them to Hollywood and let them be in the next great Pirate movie.
180. Dave in Davis | 04.12.09
It is important to remember that these are pirates not terrorists pushing a political agenda. They are said to be fishermen turned pirate by the decimation of their fishing grounds by primarily asian factory fishing fleets. They are nationals of a failed state which cannot protect its territorial waters. Maybe they’re just fishermen turned pirate because it pays alot better. Regardless, they should be coopted not turned into terrorists.
The proper course of action seems clear. Firstly, this brave man, Capt. Phillips, should be ransomed forthwith - by the government, the ship’s insurgents, whoever; just get him out of there. He should not be made to continue as a pawn in an untenable situation. Threats, violence, and indignant refusal to pay for Phillips release are not the answer.
Second, ransom is conditional on the pirate leaders agreeing to begin negotiations for a long term agreement with the maritime corporations and nations to guarantee safe passage in Somali and adjacent international shipping lanes. It could be simple old protection money or the pirates could be turned so as to become the nucleus of a de facto Somali coast guard. Equipe and train them to protect their waters and transiting vessels from other pirates, terrorists, and illegal fishing.
Everybody wins, including, most especially and most immediately, Richard Phillips.
181. Nagual | 04.12.09
The comments are interesting. Most of the unenlightened do not understand Maritime Law. The ships are not allowed weapons being carried by the crew or the Captain. So, they have no way to combat the pirates.
The solution is to allow all cargo ships to carry non combat devices. They should arm themselves with high-powered crossbows and multiple Flare guns.
With these non-weapons they can turn an attack into an offensive maneuver and thwart any attempts by invasive pirates.
Trust in the President. There are over 240 captives and only one is an American.
183. QED | 04.12.09
Option 1, as was stated by Curious, send in a USN Seal team to take out the pirates in the raft and free the hostage. Option 2, use snipers to take out the bad guys and free the hostage. Either way, the pirates are dead (which sends a clear message) and the hostage is free.
As for the rest of the pirates, they are no different that terrorists, there is but one simple solution, blow them out of the water. Pirates have always been dealt with as a scourge of the high seas, why change now?
Besides, it is costing us tax payers millions of dollars per day to keep US Naval vessels in that area to ward off pirates. For this reason alone you “deep six them”. After all, we are not dealing with a child that has stolen a piece of candy from a “mom and pop store”, we are dealing with armed terrorists that have taken millions of dollars.
184. Rudolph | 04.12.09
Place a coil of barbed wire around the ships like the Israelis do. No one’s captured one of theirs. Makes surprise boarding a painful experience.
186. Tom Fiorill | 04.12.09
Curious, I agree completely get the Seals on the lifeboat. As for overturning the lifeboat, this type of lifeboat is designed to right itself; it’s watertight when the hatches are shut. The pirates are not suicide bombers and probably want to live another day, so at some point they have to make the decision, try to get a ransom or live to attempt priracy again. Unfortunately, unless the US has lost all of its spine, I think the priracy gig might be near an end. We should do what Jefferson did to the Barbery pirates, send in the Marines, thus “to the shores of Tripoli.”
187. Channell Wasson | 04.12.09
I’m in Uruguay now where even here thinking people here can not believe the lack of firm action against these gangsters. The country that takes positive action first will be the hero. If it is not the USA we will look like monkeys.
189. Third Dan | 04.12.09
Send a SEAL team under water, at night, to head shoot the pirates. That’s what SEALS do. Later, send SEALS and Special Forces to pirate havens with large amounts of C-4 and laser appropriate targets. Then send in an AC-130 Specter gunship. Problems solved.
190. gdh | 04.12.09
This guy is by no means the “first American taken by pirates in 200 years”.
Also, if they wanted this guy back right now, they could have him. Politics, politics, politics…
191. Lou | 04.12.09
Innocent people have been killed in every war since the beginning of civilization including by most of the major players / members of the U.N.
So if the US vaporizes every pirate vessel (after given 24 hours notice to surrendor or die) with and without hostages….this should be looked at in the same was as when we bombed Germany, Japan and Vietnam that innocent people will die along with our soldiers who are prepared for death to protect our country and our freedoms.
Every country that flies a flag a see must find a way to
destroy all pirate ships within minutes of an attempted attack. All these countries with ships need to agree to NO negotiations and approve of the
complete and total destruction of any and all pirate ships at sea before this pirate cancer spreads…..those who have given $$ to the pirates are helping to spread the pirate cancer.
To do otherwise is to encourage other terrorists / pirates / drug cartels worldwide to pull off these crimes since most have big payoffs…. NEVER NEGOTIATE….innocent must be sacrificed today to save many more innocent in the future…to STOP this CANCER…..mark my words …this cancer will either DIE now or will rapidly y expand globally…We must stop this now …or thousands will be at risk on cruise ships worldwide.
192. Cecil Cherry | 04.12.09
Let the nave release any and all means to take the pirates out, they can do it and save the captain, About 95% sure of this. Quit fooling around with thugs, get with it. We will have more and more of these problems if we don’t act now and blow them out of the water.
194. TedF | 04.12.09
Navy Seals, At night, opening several cylinders of an anesthetic gas directly under, or just upwind, of the lifeboat. Everybody goes to sleep. Captain rescued. Pirates arrested. Mission accomplished with no loss of life.
195. RJ | 04.12.09
Two pronged:
One return the ability of COs at sea to try and hang pirates caught in the act. No more VTCs back to Petraus in Qatar before doing anything, thats the source of most inaction..restrictive ROEs. Obviously if people want immediate direct action (SOF killing people) at the time of attacks they have to unanimously agree that a loss to hostages is an acceptable loss. Right now that is a non option for the Obama camp, I agree but obviously all of our armchair John Paul Jones above seem to think its ok.
Two, shift the major reconstruction efforts from Eritrea and Djibouti, and move the Camp Lemonier reconstruction forces into Northern Somalia to stabilize the area. Provide basic needs…Electricity, water, and arable land improvement. Then utilize non tribal enemies to assist in the policing effort (ie not Ethopia who we currently pay to do it.) This has to be a UN/EU/NATO effort since we are obviously fighting pirates in Nigeria, Mallaca, and Phillipines waters aswell.
You think we cant or dont kill pirates. Look at Operation Praying Mantis from the eighties (Iranians, but pirates non the less) or any of the encounters we have had in the last 3 or 4 years when there were not hostages involved.
196. ROY, R. | 04.12.09
WITH ALL THE TECH. WE HAVE,I SAY THE NAVY SEALS CAN DO THE JOB OF CAPTURING OUR CAPT..— NITE TIME— I THINK THE NAVY IS DRAWING UP PLANS TO DO THIS. WITH TECH. AT ITS BEST,I THINK WE WILL PREVAIL
197. Bill | 04.12.09
Guide a large Nuke Sub under the lifeboat, surface the sub, trapping them on deck. Then set a course out to sea, and perhaps to a “friendly” port.
198. SUGGESTING | 04.12.09
ONE WAY TO STOP THE HI-JACKING IS TO PUT 4 GATLIN GUNS ON EACH SHIP GOING THROUGH THE SHIPPING LANES AND PILOTED BY OUR FINEST MILITARY PERSONAL..THEY (PIRATES) DON’T STAND A CHANCE
199. Hague, Sy | 04.12.09
Let the Ugandans and Kenyans governments do the dirty work of getting rid of Somalian Pirates. If they want food aid they should provide safety to the donar ships coming going to their harbors. What is ANC African National Congress doing to prevent priracy. US Navy is spending millions every day on this standoff with the pirates and so did EU countries. There has got to be a easier political solution to this problem. Legalize piracy and pay toll to pass like Suez / Panama canals.
200. S. Baum | 04.12.09
Put a whole in the bottom of the lifeboat and wait to see who bobs up. Problem solved, or at least shortened considerably.
201. Chuck | 04.12.09
Try talking,as we are trying…but keep talking but develop a plan “A” & “B”
for these guys should have their last day come Monday morning !
202. Tom Elam | 04.12.09
I like the 4 targets method, also the submarine and seal team idea. I would drop a parachute over the boat and gas them all unconscious, or perhaps use an electrical device to knock them out. There has to be a way to render a small boat full of people unconscious for a short while. All else failing I would send in a heavy lift helicopter and net the boat, lift it up high into the air and deposit it on top of the tallest mountain I could get it to.(Mt Everest would do) Or perhaps set it down in a desolate dessert hundreds of miles from anything except sand dunes. Let them negotiate with that!
203. Gordy Biggs | 04.12.09
When I arrived onboard the USS John F. Kennedy, I was informed there was no such thing as a hostage. If I were taken by an armed adversary, I had better escape as soon as possible because when the Navy becomes aware, they are coming and killing every living thing in sight. It worked, I never became a hostage.
204. Curly | 04.12.09
It looks like Obama has emasculated the navy. The navy no longer has a pair. The navy and marines sure did not negotiate with the pirates at Tripoli nor did they give them over to the local government. In the absents of international law or the failure to inforce international law the US needs to take the law into its hands and infroce it or American law in the absents of international. Then let anyone complain.
205. Grand Puba | 04.12.09
Lack of education, lack of resources, alienation and a collapsed economy is the mother of crime. Somalia and it’s current conditions don’t look to be changing anytime too soon, therefore, I suspect the pirates will thrive as long as foreign nations continue fishing just off it’s shore. (Wouldn’t you?)
206. Bear | 04.12.09
Bring a sub under the lifeboat, deploy Seals from submerged sub to attach a towing cable to the lifeboat and tow it out further away from land very slowly. Blame the movement of the lifeboat away from land on the currents. Eventually the Pirates will run out of food and or water. When the pirates ask for additional food and water give them some food or water that will make them lose conciousness after about a twelve hour delay. The delay is necessarry because the first thing the pirates would do is have the Captain try the food to make sure it is safe to eat. Once the Pirates realize the food has no effect on the Captian they will gobble it up. By the time they realize they have been drugged it would be too late.
207. matthew bradley | 04.12.09
Somolia as a nation came into being as the result of one of the ugliest chapters of imperialism. If you study your history you will see that Somalia shouldn’t even exist. During the end of the nineteenth century Italy attacked the worlds oldest christian nation under false pretenses in order to seize land, workers and raw materials. However, because the His Imperial Majesty Menelik II was faithful to the truth and was protected by the covenant of Israel he defeated the Italian army at Adowa, and sent the Italian army packing. However, the Ethiopians lacked a modern navy, and europeans were hesitant to send aid to the Africans despite the atrocity because they feared war at home. Therefore, The Italians who were embarassed by there defeat at the hands of “backwards” africans, continued to shell Ethiopia and destroy or disrupt any infrastructure or organization, while simultaneously supporting there own troops.
The narrow coastline where the heavy Italian guns could enforce the evil of colonialization became the colony of Somolia, and as a result of religious persecution the Ethiopian coptic church was driven out of Ethiopia, and Islam forced its way in along with Red Sea traders.
I think that any real solution would require a real intense investment of military effort, Coptic Missionaries, and economic improvment. First, we need to strengthen and stabilize Ethiopia, really the only country in question. Then, we need to outfit and train their military into NATO grade warriors. Meanwhile, we should infiltrate every warlord and islamic court in the area with CIA and military intel-learn everything about all of their leaders. This info should be used first to discredit those leaders, meanwhile creating puppet leaders using public opinion to mold them. Of course we will fund and arm those puppets, while using our infiltrators to eliminate the rest of the opposing leaders who haven’t fallen from grace. in the ensuing chaos, a few thousand US “coalition” Marines and attack helicopters remove those problem groups. Then, the Ethiopian military could reoccupy their former territory and missionary work could guarentee the unity and stability.
Finally, the UN could hand the bill over to the Italian government, since this their fault in the first place.
As for the current hostage situation, cover of darkness, blackhawks, Barrett M-107s, S&R team, American hostage saved. I think that an amphibious raid by a SEAL team, GSG9, or similar CT organization would be alright to risk on the other ships so long as they aren’t carrying citizens of US allies, or they could depend on their own governments (LOL), Its really not our problem.
208. C Nelson | 04.12.09
Take the press out of war and out of skirmishes like this and let the warriors do what they do best WITHOUT YOUR CAMERAS AND ARMCHAIR POLITICIANS!
It’s easy to say you’d act different than what’s being done but get serious. The toughest decision the average American faces each day is what pants to wear, not whether shooting to kill is the best option. I’d be willing to bet any amount of money that any of us as a hostage wouldn’t be as bold as those who yell “shoot” now.
209. H Lewis | 04.12.09
I can see the headlines now “Four African Natives Hold off U S Navy for Five Days”
This is a good way to earn respect in foreign countries. France has more dignity!
210. Susan Waters | 04.12.09
The United States Navy once again proves that they should not be messed with. U.S. seals are tough and ready.
211. Joel | 04.12.09
Lots of talk here about how hard things are to do. Check out the latest news: captain freed, 3 pirates dead.
Sure, talk about the limits of American power all you want. We do very well, thank you.
Now let’s kill the rest of the pirates.
And, no the pirates to not have the right to international waters, at least not for piracy. Where did that nonsense come from?
212. Cork | 04.12.09
A nice submarine energency surfacing maneuver would be a nice sudden dissorienting opportunity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxyMzR9K1Dk
With the lifeboad adrift, is it moving towards shore? I thought they were over 100 miles off shore when this started. We need to be drawing it further out to sea - SEAL team….
214. sbisking | 04.12.09
The captain was rescued by the Great American Naval Seal Team. Three pirates dead and the 4th in custody. Fantastic! Now we need to drop bombs on Somalia for the next 30 days! 10,000 sorties!
215. Ian Ward | 04.12.09
Invade them bomb them! starve them! oops forgot you did that already. Yanks just send advisors to support right wing sensible government and up coastal patrols, i sure oil lies under that sand somewhere.
216. RALPH ZAGARELLA | 04.12.09
When they freed the captain, why didn’t the navy sink the mother ship where the pirates came from?
217. Nonigirl | 04.13.09
Everybody just sits back and waits for the Americans to do something! Not unlike our illustrious UN! Where the heck are they?
Shoot to kill, and end piracy of the seas.
218. Sylvia Else | 04.13.09
Since the Navy has limited options once hostages have been taken, the obvious course is to prevent that from happening in the first place. Give crews machine guns, a few RPGs, and the training to use them, and the Navy won’t be required there any more, because the pirates will either be dead, or will have decided on a safer means of earning a living. How did we reach the point where we don’t think mariners should be allowed to defend themselves against pirates?
219. Timothy | 04.13.09
I personally think that terrorists and pirates are from two different categories, one motivated by money and the other motivated by ideology. The reason why no one really wants to help Somalia is simple, who wants to get dragged into a situation in which there is no positive outcome. They don’t seem to have any intention to resolve their situation in life at the present time, and until they do, who do you think really wants to help. If you really want entertainment, remember these things, you have warships from a very powerful navy clustered around them, you have a few days of food left on board, and you have the very, very brief attention span of most of the world(thanks CNN, Fox and all you soundbite hounds) Something is going to give and something is going to give soon. The pirates more than likely will not escape with their lives, let along money.
220. Paul | 04.13.09
The USA did what had to be done with these idiot pirates and now are being threathened with retaliation. Now is the time for all nations to make it known that they stand with the United States and any action against the USA will be treated as a threat against them.Nations must take a united stand against a common enemy. The USA should also stop shipping any food or medical supplies and let Somalia fix their own problems.
221. JAMG | 04.13.09
To all that claim “Obama is weak/chicken/scared/etc.”
Looks like your dreams came true–bullets, force, and a free captain! Let’s all be happy for this success (if only for a few seconds). However, are you now willing to go on record saying “Obama did the right thing” since he followed “your” advice?
I do hope you are willing to do this. Just know this isn’t the “end” of the situation (there are other hostages being held). Now the pirates vow revenge. Was the “right” thing? One family in NH thinks so–but let’s wait and see…this might just escalate more than you anti-Obama trigger-happy blow-’em-all-to-heck people have anticipated…
222. Amira R | 04.13.09
And so…..it ended…….”mission ‘–possible’ style”…..
fortunately the Navy had another chance to do exactly what should have been done, before the same would have been done to an innocent Captain. A time to kill and a time to heal. Eccl. 3:3
“The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing,” a pirate who gave his name only as Hussein told Reuters by satellite phone. “We do not kill, but take only ransom. [But] we shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now.” From the CSM
…..and so, they (the sea faring terrorists) seem not interested in healing. Hussein, before “from now” pirateering, and “taking ransom” has always been violent and illegal….you need to understand that…and that…..YOU are the enemy….not a ship Captain navigating a vessel full of food to starving people.
223. Jones | 04.13.09
The only pirates i see is US and the European.What gives you the right to prey on the weak and dump toxic waste on their sea. I’m shame to be an American and its sicking to see they are allowed to get away with this. They say Ignorance is blessed,I guess you all gualified. The truth will always be the truth however you twiste to fit your needs.
224. dano | 04.14.09
Ok, this is how I think this should be handled in the future:
–Ring, ring—
“Hello, this is the United States of America.”
“Hello, we are pirates and we have taken one of you citizens hostage. You must pay us X millions to get him back.”
“I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number. This is the USA. We don’t negotiate with terrorists.” >clickclick<
227. Purple Neon Lights | 04.15.09
For Pete’s sake, do this:
1) Declare the entire area where the pirates do their dirty work a pirate kill zone. (This would not include the coastal waters of Somalia, where there are legitimate Somalian commercial endeavors, such as fishing.)
2) Position aircraft carriers with fighter jets in the kill zone.
2) Any vessel in the kill zone that doesn’t adequately identify itself as being engaged in civilized commerce will be blown out of the water by the fighter jets. (Ships are too slow to respond effectively.)
What’s the hold up?
228. Purple Neon Lights | 04.15.09
Addendum to above comment about having a pirate kill zone:
Provide heavily armed soldiers for every U.S. flagged vessel, I suppose five armed individuals per vessel might be enough.
The cost of doing this would be a pittance compared to bringing fleets of vessels to bear on a single incident.
Any vessel that gets anywhere near a U.S.-flagged vessel without adequately identifying itself will be blown to oblivion.
Again, as I said in the preceding post, what in the world is the hold up?
(Believe me, as they say in football, the pirates don’t have deep bench. Atomize perhaps 100 or so of the pirates, and they will be very weakened.)
229. Amanda Gonzalez | 05.10.09
Are we seriously considering negotiating with terrorists?!
Are you kidding me?!
Yea, sure, lets try and write letters and meet with people whom have no control over the country they’re supposed to be running.
I saw, we just blow them to bits and after a while of them just dying, they’ll learn not to be stupid..
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. curious | 04.10.09
Someone needs to authorize a USN Seal team to free the hostage.