The Downside to Long Haul Comms
By lex, on September 29th, 2008
One hundred years or so ago, the response to this sort of thing ** would have been much simpler:
U.S. helicopters on Monday buzzed a hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship carrying 33 Soviet-designed tanks and other weapons that officials fear could end up in the hands of al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia if the pirates are allowed to escape.
Thursday’s seizure of the MV Faina off Somalia, a failed state seen as a key battleground in the war on terrorism, could bring dangerous effects across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes…
The pirates aboard the blue-and-white Ukrainian-operated freighter are demanding $20 million to release the ship, its 21 crew members, one of whom has died of an apparent heart attack, and its cargo of T-72 tanks, rifles and ammunition.
The ship, now anchored off Somalia’s coast near the central town of Hobyo, apparently was destined for Sudan when armed pirates overtook it, likely from a speedboat, and climbed up the side of the ship.
Somali pirates taking Russian tanks to Sudan, with a US Navy captain in a powerful warship close aboard. No one to talk to, no requirement to phone home. No permissions to seek. Just a set of general sailing instructions and the charge to do his duty as his judgment dictated.
Oh, yes. Life was much simpler then.
** 08-25-2018 Original link gone; replacement found – Ed.