by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 11, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

           His first test of a global crisis, President Barack Obama must make a fateful decision 380 nautical miles off the Somali coast.  Faced with a hostage situation involving American Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vermont, Barack must articulate the U.S. piracy policy on the high seas.  Terrorizing the maritime commerce in the Horn of Africa, Somali pirates are no longer a problem for “other” countries, now directly affecting U.S. interests.  While the Oct. 4, 1993 U.S. battle of Mogadishu ended in two Black Hawk helicopters shot down and 18 Delta Force deaths, the Clinton administration blamed Islamic radicals loyal to Osama bin Laden.  Nearly 10 years before Sept. 11, Osama bin Laden’s based out of Sudan, Yemen and Somalia.  After the 1998 al-Qaida bombing of U.S. embassies in Khartoum, Sudan and Nairobi, Kenya, Bin Laden moved shop to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

            Former President Bill Clinton had little success containing Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden, the world’s most dangerous man.  Only a few months before former President George W. Bush took office, Bin Laden blew up the U.S.S. Cole Oct. 12, 2000 in Somalia’s Port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors.  Less than one year later, Bin Laden completed the greatest terrorist act in world history, hitting the World Trade Center and Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001.  No one knows for sure his relationship, if any, with the Somali pirates or warlords.  Like the opium traders in Afghanistan, millions of dollars in ransom has been paid to pirates, perpetuating the problem that plagues maritime shipping.  With the destroyer U.S.S. Bainbridge already at the scene and the amphibious U.S.S. Boxer expected soon, the Obama must make a fateful decision of how to respond to an act of war.

            Somali pirates hold Russian, German, Chinese, Filipino and other hostages.  They’re trying to coordinate with comrades holding Capt. Phillips in a 24-ft. fiberglass life raft, nearly 400 miles from Somalia.  Fearing a U.S. military response, they’re threatening violence against the hostages.  “We hope before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured,” said Philippines Vice President Noli de Castro, urging Obama to consult with the U.N. before taking action.  Somali pirates expressed no fear over an American response, threatening, to kill Capt. Phillips and other international hostages.   Obama must decide whether or not it’s feasible to pay ransom and meet demands for Phillip’s release or launch a no tolerance policy.  There’s little practical difference between the blackmail practiced by pirates or terrorists.

            When Phillips jumped into the Indian Ocean to escape Friday, it became clear that the pirates continued to play hardball.  After firing AK-47s, they plucked Phillips out of the water and resumed the standoff.  Despite the U.S. show of force, they have no intention of surrendering.  Marooned 380 miles off the Somali coast, the pirates find themselves running out of options.  Now that the world’s watching, demanding $2 million and safe passage for Phillip’s release would send the wrong message, conveying weakness.  According to the International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates hold about 12 ships and 200 hostages, listing 66 attacks since January.  While Barack would like to pony up for Phillips, the situation is more complicated.  Seizing an Italian-flagged U.S. tugboat in the Gulf of Aden, the pirates seek more leverage to regain control in the Horn of Africa.

            FBI hostage negotiators haven’t made too much progress winning Phillips’ unconditional release.  Somali pirates have operated with impunity, terrorizing international shipping for years.  When the anti-piracy flagship Boxer arrives on the scene soon, Obama will place the prestige of the U.S. Navy on the line.  Where other countries have failed, the U.S. must prove that it’s still the world’s last superpower, not cowing to global hoodlums.  In the run up to Sept. 11, the U.S. ignored the warning signs, culminating in dramatic loss of American prestige.  Iraq and Afghanistan damaged U.S. prestige, proving a small band of terrorists could compete with the mighty American military.  Somali pirates threaten more credibility damage if Obama capitulates to international outlaws.  Placating terrorists and Somali pirates have left the civilized world less safe.

            President Obama is caught between a rock and a hard place, playing more games with Somali pirates.  Caving in to pirates’ demands would send a loud message to terrorists and outlaws from the Horn of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan.  If the U.S. pays to get Phillips out, U.S. citizens will be less secure all over the planet.  On Friday, French commandos stormed a sailboat seized by Somali pirates with Florent Lemacon, his wife and three-year-old child.  Though Lemacon was killed, the French stood against kidnapping and blackmail.  Whether Obama likes it or not, he must not let Somali pirates further damage U.S. credibility.  White House officials know the names and hideouts of Somali pirates, demanding urgent action.  Letting them go unpunished hurts all law-abiding citizens.  Kidnapping and blackmail can never be tolerated, even when it’s sold as piracy on the high seas.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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