1. Why Piracy Matters
- Author:
- J. Peter Pham
- Publication Date:
- 03-2012
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- The Diplomatic Courier
- Institution:
- The Diplomatic Courier
- Abstract:
- Last year, Somali pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean attacked some 237 merchant vessels, successfully hijacking 28 of them; through the end of January this year, they assaulted another 13 ships and captured 2—leaving the marauders holding a total 10 vessels and 159 hostages. However, with the tragic exception of the seizure of the MV Quest last February which resulted in the killing of the four American yachters on board, none of the hijackings have involved U.S. vessels or citizens. Hence the question arises whether, in these times of fiscal austerity, the United States should—beyond general humanitarian sentiments of empathy for the victims—really be all that concerned about a phenomenon on the other side of the world that does not directly threaten the country's security.
- Political Geography:
- United States and America