(Thumbnail image: U.S. Navy/The New York Times)

BY JIM FLINK

“U.S. marine commandos reclaim control of a ship being held hostage by pirates off the Somali coast.  The raid took place just before dawn. Pirates, they had apparently hijacked the German-owned ship just one day ago. Nine pirates were taken into custody.” (Fox News)

24 U.S. marines stormed a German-flagged ship taken by Somali pirates, and seized control.  It’s the first large-scale mission this year to counter-act piracy near Somalia.  Some are hailing it an important victory.  Others are panning it as a feel-good stunt long-overdue.

We’re analyzing coverage from BusinessWeek, Fox News, Voice Of America and New York Magazine.

BusinessWeek notes, about 20 percent of the entire world’s trade goes through the Gulf of Aden, where the pirates have set up shop.

“Somalia hasn’t had a functioning central administration since ... 1991. Most of southern and central Somalia is under the control of rebel fighters, while the Western-backed government holds only portions of Mogadishu. Surrounding waters are the most pirated in the world...” 

Fox News talks with Vice Admiral Mark Fox who says, this rescue was made possible by the fact, the crew reacted quickly when the ship was overtaken.

“And the crew did exactly the right thing.  They barricaded themselves into a hard room.  And the pirates were unable to penetrate into where the crew had protected themselves.  And that gave us enough time for our team to come over and do a boarding early this morning and take the ship back from the pirates.”

Voice of America notes the U.S. Navy is part of a 24-nation multi-national force now trying to curtail piracy.

“Hijackings off the coast of Somalia have continued this year despite patrols by warships from the United States, the European Union, NATO and China.  Somalia's central government, fighting an Islamist insurgency, lacks the power and resources to combat piracy.”

But a writer for New York Magazine says the hype surrounding these hijackings and the successful recovery seem a little too made for TV.

“Luckily for us ... it just happened.  Without even firing a shot, the Marines took control of the ship and detained the nine pirates onboard.  Sure, those pirates were probably just a bunch of ragtag, malnourished African youths. But we'll take our victories where we can get them. America!”
 

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