Article

2008-11-25 Africa Horn

NATO rules out naval blockade on Somalia - for now

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Fred 2008-11-25 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top
File under: Pirates

#1 Maybe someone wants us to move critical naval resources into that area so that other areas go without "coverage". This might be a matter of priorities.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-11-25 02:25|| 2008-11-25 02:25|| Front Page Top

#2 Reasonable thought, crosspatch. But as long as no US NATO assets were redeployed I don't think it would matter, given that non-US assets tend to have more restrictive Rules of (non)Engagement.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2008-11-25 08:34|| 2008-11-25 08:34|| Front Page Top

#3 ...adding that such action has not been endorsed by the UN Security Council.

Why does the image come to mind of the last [sort of] Roman Emperor ensconced in Ravenna playing court intrigues and issuing unenforceable decrees while the Vandals are sacking Rome.

Posted by Procopius2k 2008-11-25 11:30|| 2008-11-25 11:30|| Front Page Top

#4 They're not sacking Rome yet, just cutting off the Suez Canal. But with the bankers absconding with all of the empire's money there is nothing left to finance a war with pirates.

Posted by Abu Uluque 2008-11-25 11:54|| 2008-11-25 11:54|| Front Page Top

#5 Considering how many world states are sending modern naval combatants and other to the region, these should be more than a match for any Pir-i-i-t-e flotilla > THE REAL/GREATEST PROB IS GETTING THESE SAME TO COORDINATE AND WORK TOGETHER WIDOUT SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER.

E.g. IIRC RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR > PRE-TSUSHIMA TSARIST RUSSIAN NAVAL FLEET VERSUS DUTCH? FISHING BOATS [Arms = Nets + Fish], WID THE TSAR'S FLEET BARELY ESCAPING AND BEING FORCED TO RETURN HOME.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-11-25 17:32|| 2008-11-25 17:32|| Front Page Top

#6 "given that non-US assets tend to have more restrictive Rules of (non)Engagement."

Which is why I believe that private security is going to get a boost. Blackwater could have a gold mine here but they need some serious backup. If they resist a boarding and get in a pinch, they are also going to need to call in private reinforcement that can get there in a hurry else they are going to risk getting the entire crew of the ship killed.

But thankfully people are sheep and if there are a handful of Blackwater types fighting back, about half the crew would probably pick up a weapon and join in while the other half cowers below.

Posted by crosspatch 2008-11-25 17:57|| 2008-11-25 17:57|| Front Page Top

23:43 Uleck Ghibelline9225
23:42 JAB
22:55 Skunky Glins 5***
22:24 Procopius2k
22:20 Procopius2k
22:05 Frank G
21:43 JosephMendiola
21:41 Redneck Jim
21:33 JosephMendiola
21:30 JosephMendiola
21:22 JosephMendiola
21:00 JosephMendiola
20:35 Frank G
20:22 Hellfish
20:14 Hellfish
20:01 Spot
19:42 Barbara Skolaut
19:28 DarthVader
19:22 Barbara Skolaut
19:19 Richard of Oregon
19:18 Barbara Skolaut
19:01 tipper
18:49 Cheaderhead
18:33 Shieldwolf