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U.S. Navy (JASON R. ZALASKY)
Pirates holding the merchant vessel Faina have been characterized as terrorists especially since the ship's cargo consists of T-72 tanks and related military equipment. The bottom line, however, is that all the pirates want is money.
U.S. Navy (JASON R. ZALASKY)

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The Overstated Threat

It is too easy to confuse piracy with water-borne terrorist acts. Don't believe the hype and consider the source.
By Commander John Patch, U.S. Navy (Retired)
December 2008
Proceedings
Article
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Comments

Modern pirates bear little resemblance to popular romantic Hollywood characters. Increasingly violent and greedy, their actions seem an affront to the very ideals of Western civilization. Armchair admirals and politicians are quick to shake their fists, avowing, "Something must be done." Maritime industry is quick to follow, with unsettling incident accounts and dire financial projections. Yet, more informed analysis of piracy reveals that the impact in blood and treasure is altogether minimal.

Indeed, common misperceptions abound. While maritime piracy incidents capture media attention and generate international calls for action, the piracy threat is in fact overstated. It is nothing more than high-seas criminal activity, better addressed by law enforcement agencies than warships. As a localized nuisance, it should not serve to shape maritime force structure or strategy.

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