You knew it was coming. First story I read this morning on the AP wires talked about reaction from some around the world about how American actions will usher in a new round of violence from the pirates.
It's typical. The pusillanimous reaction from some is sickening. Some have emphasized in the past week that shipping companies prefer to pay the ransoms since they only make a small dent in their profits. Maybe other countries. Not the United States. We do not deal with terrorists, whether they are ideological, religious, or simply gangsters.
The Somali pirates do not pose a danger to the civilized world if we and other countries respond with force. Messing with some countries earns the pirates millions of dollars. Messing with the United States earns them death. Now they know that even Barack Obama will not bow to their foolishness. Our government does not pay ransoms, whether to kidnappers in our own country or terrorists abroad.
Since these are for profit terrorists, they will turn to the path of least resistance. For decades, shipping and cruise line companies have turned to using the flags of small nations with laws that grant great latitude. They did not need the protection of the United States. Piracy, we can be sure, is not going to go away. Ships registered with Panama and Liberia are now under threat. Ships with flags of nations such as the United States and India will be safer since both nations retaliated with decisive force. We should start seeing an increase of ships registered under the US flag. Decisive action protects our interests in the long run. Weakness invites more aggression.
As far as Somalia is concerned, going into that country again should be done in conjunction with other nations. In fact, regional African powers ought to take the lead with the United States providing logistical support. Taking the lead on the ground is risky in any circumstance. Building up a structure in Africa so that they can handle their own problems is a better move than trying to provide for them. Logistics and air support are powerful and appropriate ways to help any Somalia mission.
I would not be shocked to hear of air strikes in Somalia soon. We have taught them a lesson on Easter Sunday. Now we need to make sure that lesson was well learned.
Messing with the United States earns you death.
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