Docking the Pirates
It’s hard not to comment on the recent piracy of international freighters, especially given the dramatic, 24-esque unfolding of events that occurred but a few days ago.
With the recent news of two more freighters seized in but one day by Somalian pirates comes a timely blog post from Foreign Policy.com, documenting a letter Senator Feingold sent to U.S. President Barack Obama regarding how to handle Somalia.
His suggestion? From within.
[There is an] essential need to develop a comprehensive interagency strategy to stabilize Somalia and support effective governance. With the strategic review now underway, I reiterate my belief that expanded U.S. support for the new unity government must be a central component of that strategy. Furthermore, we must seize the opening that lies before us by publicly declaring our commitment to high-level, sustained engagement that could help Somalia overcome the many challenges to peace and stability.”
Feingold further proposes stronger U.S. engagement with the Somali government, albeit that they are unable to control the rapidly-growing civil discourse that has claimed their nation– not only to stamp out piracy but to “establish security and functional, inclusive governance within the country.” Obama, as Feingold suggests, should start by calling Somali President Sheikh Sharif.
Most interesting of all, though, is Feingold’s reference to the last time that piracy was notably halted in Somalia — under the Islamic Courts Union in 2006. That regime, later ousted by Ethiopian troops (with U.S. support…) brought the only calm to the seas that the country has seen in recent years.
The ultimate solution to the problem of piracy, then, is the establishment of a functional government that can enforce the rule of law. During the rule of the Council of Islamic Courts in 2006, there was a notable decline in piracy that can be attributed, in large part, to the rise of a central authority in southern Somalia.
Without replicating the repressive rule of the Courts, we must keep in mind that establishing a central governing structure in Somalia is critical to resolving, not just stopping, the problem of piracy.
There is a unique opportunity with the current level of attention to Somalia’s waters to focus on developing a strategic approach that could incorporate perhaps the broader problems facing Somalia. We support the Senator’s urging of Mr. Obama to seize this opportunity, and begin a comprehensive strategy that can help bring stability to this region.
The dramatic rescue of Captain Phillips may ultimately turn out to be a case of winning the battle but losing the war against the Somali pirates. This stupid stunt, ostensibly approved by President Obama, is bound to raise the stakes and put the lives of the present and future hostages from not only the US ships but also of other countries captured by the pirates in grave danger. I am sure that the brethren of the pirates who were shot dead by the US sharp shooters in the bid to rescue Phillips would have learned a bitter lesson, namely, that it was a mistake to have let the other twenty crew members to go free in exchange for the lone captain to be held as the hostage on a lifeboat.
What is needed, therefore, is an internationally co-ordinated camapaign to go after the pirates both on land and sea. The US must resist the temptation once again to go it alone, as had become its habit during the Bush era.
BTW, why is not the vaunted capability of the US spy satellites which are supposedly equipped with cameras so precise that they can capture and transmit images of even minute objects put to use in this matter? One or more such satellites may be positioned over the perate-infested expanse of the Indian Ocean and any vessels or boats suspected to be used by the pirates may be relayed to the nearest warship which can then seek and destroy them before they go into any offensive action.
The dramatic rescue of Captain Phillips may ultimately turn out to be a case of winning the battle but losing the war against the Somali pirates. This stupid stunt, ostensibly approved by President Obama, is bound to raise the stakes and put the lives of the present and future hostages from not only the US ships but also of other countries captured by the pirates in grave danger. I am sure that the brethren of the pirates who were shot dead by the US sharp shooters in the bid to rescue Phillips would have learned a bitter lesson, namely, that it was a mistake to have let the other twenty crew members to go free in exchange for the lone captain to be held as the hostage on a lifeboat.
What is needed, therefore, is an internationally co-ordinated camapaign to go after the pirates both on land and sea. The US must resist the temptation once again to go it alone, as had become its habit during the Bush era.
BTW, why is not the vaunted capability of the US spy satellites which are supposedly equipped with cameras so precise that they can capture and transmit images of even minute objects put to use in this matter? One or more such satellites may be positioned over the pirate-infested expanse of the Indian Ocean and any vessels or boats suspected to be used by the pirates may be relayed to the nearest warship which can then seek and destroy them before they go into any offensive action.
I would argue that once a story this dramatic hits the newswires, it must be handled swiftly and effectively, irrespective of its future consequences. I will agree that the onus is now on the international military fleets that are supposed to safeguard the waters near Somalia, Nigeria, etc., to ensure safe passage for precious cargo-carrying freighters and their crews.