Map of Pirate Attacks off Somalia
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Anti Pirate Possibilities
Author: Ernie FitzpatrickAfter the happiness, celebration, and euphoria of the rescue of Captain Phillips begins to subside the darker side of the drama begins to unfold. To start with, these were teenagers, one possibly as young as 15 years old. Going forward, America is now in the cross hairs of the Somalia and pirate hatred. Anyone looking like an American is a marked target. Now what?
As the sage has said, the first sign of failure is success. Think about it.
The United States is considering new strategies in the aftermath of the high-seas hostage drama, including adding Navy gunships along the Somali coastline and launching a campaign to disable pirate "mother ships." The rescue of an American hostage and the killing of three Somali pirates by Navy SEAL snipers also increases pressure on U.S. and international leaders to use newly granted authority to hunt pirates on land, where they plan and nurture attacks.
One day after his direct order allowing military force ended in success, President Barack Obama committed the United States to "halt the rise of piracy" without saying exactly how his administration and allies would do so. While stopping short of a pledge to eradicate piracy, the new U.S. president added the lawlessness off the coast of Africa to a lengthy must-fix list that already includes two wars and a struggling economy.
As ancient gods have said, "Bask in the sweet victory for it won't last long."
"We have to continue to be prepared to confront them when they arise, and we have to ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes," Obama said. Easier said than done, but good job so far. U.S. officials privately outlined several options Monday, even as the Pentagon cautioned that the solution to the piracy scourge won't come at the point of a gun.
Military officials said the precision of Sunday's rescue may be a testament to the skill of the U.S. military, but it should not become a rationale for a major expansion of the Pentagon's role in what is fundamentally a criminal problem, military officials said. One official said bluntly that piracy is a crime, not an act of war or even terrorism. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because no decisions have been made, including about whether to expand or change the military's current role in fighting piracy.
We're fighting terrorists, pirates, and militias. What happened to the days when we fought uniformed armies?
About the Author:As a spiritual-futurist, I have a BA degree majoring in history. One cannot know the future without knowing the past which holds clues to what is on the horizon. The world is in such a rapid expansion of knowledge that we are close to entering a tipping point that will forever change earth as we know it.
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