Three scumbags dead and one in custody.  The captain made it out alive.  Nicely done Navy and big kudos to the captain who seemed to show courage and resolve throughout.  I'm not going to nit-pick Obama's ROE on this part of the operation, as it got the job done.

So, what next?  There had best be a 'next' as the current environment in the Gulf of Aden can not be allowed to remain as it is.  American lives and cargo were in jeapordy, and the Navy and FBI just expended a major amount of resources dealing with the situation.

As it looks like the remaining pirate basically turned himself in prior to the shootout, I'm fine with a range of options other than hanging.  I'd prefer that he not get an American trial, as that would just turn into a circus and cost us money keeping him behind bars the rest of his life.  I'm not sure what the best option is in dealing with him.  I doubt he wants to go back to piracy, as he'd likely be killed by other pirates at this point anyway.

However, the most important part of this saga is yet to come.  Will Obama have the balls to order a serious anti-piracy military operation?  I strongly doubt it ... I expect him to just breathe a sigh of relief that the captain is alive and get on with the business of spending the US into poverty.  Clinton did exactly that with far more serious attacks on the US around the globe (although the business he got on to was a bit more .... personal).  Come on Obama, surprise me and grow a pair.

Posted by: Hermit Dave at 06:28 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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