Pirate political economy

I think what fascinates me most about Somalia’s pirate economy is its high level of organization and sophistication.

The crux of the problem

James Traub:

America’s stake in the well-being of Somalia does not make Somalia’s problems any easier to cure.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen are suitable replacements for Somalia in the above phrase.

Somali forces free hijacked ship

It’s true:

Security forces from Somalia’s Puntland region have stormed a Panama-flagged cargo vessel held by pirates, freeing the ship’s crew…

“Our troops stormed the Panama-flagged vessel and engaged the pirates,” Said Mohamed Raage, the ports and marine transport minister, said on Thursday…

Somali forces decided to use force after the pirates refused to surrender, Raage said.

Somalia has an army?

Failed argument

That “failed state” is a misleading term is a point that we have raised numerous times on this blog. Failed state does typically not mean anarchy, but failed modern sovereign state. To be cheeky, it means “why don’t you govern the way we [i.e., the developed world] want you to govern the boundaries we imposed on you without your consent?” To be cheeky and terse, it means “why don’t you govern the way the west wants you to govern?” Failed modern states often do provide security – hence making them a state in the theoretical sense – just in a different way than people with blue uniforms and badges. Their only failure is to live up to our expectations. Continue reading »

Somali pirates attack US navy

Somali pirates strike again…

A group of suspected pirates was captured Thursday after attacking a U.S. Navy frigate in the Indian Ocean…

The USS Nicholas reported taking fire from a suspected pirate skiff shortly after midnight local time west of the Seychelles, the statement said. The Nicholas quickly returned fire and began pursuing the skiff, which was eventually disabled. A boarding team from the Nicholas subsequently captured and detained three people, the statement said.

I know it’s not fashionable to be impressed by pirates, but I think it’s pretty gutsy to attack the US navy. Maybe Somalia has a good pirate training program.