On Somali pirates, my perspective. It seems there are two practical options: first, identify a neighboring state that has the capacity and political will to try and imprison suspected pirates; or second, obtain the shipping nations agreement that they will try the suspected terrorist upon apprehension by the world’s naval powers. While some nations, like the U.S., have the capability to interdict and stop pirate attacks, any comprehensive strategy must involve the endgame.
From a geo-political standpoint, naval patrols, and even interdiction and arrest, are only a small part of the solution. The Pentagon seems to agree, here. For sure, a robust naval presence allows for individual ships to remain unmolested by violence, but what about then? Pursuit ashore? The Commander of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, Vice Admiral William E. Gortney expressed qualms about pursuing suspected pirates ashore, here.
The U.S. Naval Institute's Proceedings this month contains a timely, insightful bank of essays on this issue: the JAG's perspective, here; the the socio-economic historical perspective, here; and the naval professional perspective, here;
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