Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-so.png "Flag of Somalia") | Somalia |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
The Views of an Emerging Terrorist Group
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| Summary |
A Ukrainian cargo ship, MV Faina, was hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia. The ship, carrying 33 Russian tanks and other arms, was destined for Kenya, even though the pirates disagree with this statement. The pirates are asking for $20 million US dollars to free the ship. The United States navy has blockaded the ship as negotiations are being held between the pirates and the ship owners. The pirates say that the $20 million is not a ransom but a fine for trespassing on Somali waters.
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| Analysis |
The primary actor in this situation is the band of Somali pirates. It can be said that they have taken absolute control over Somali waters. It is suspected that these pirates are funding the war between the government of Somalia and Islamic Insurgents. Since Somalia is currently war-torn, the government is unable to do anything in regards to the activities of the Somali pirates. The Somali government is pleading for help to stop the pirates. The pirates are gaining unrestricted control in Somali waters, but now it seems that they have gone too far. This could be seen from a realist perspective with the pirates gaining power, but they are not recognized as a state. The realist perspective focuses on recognized states as the main actors.
The Somali pirates are trying to create their own identity. They are trying to build themselves at the expense of other states. The United States views the Somali pirates in a different light than how the pirates view themselves. The United States views them as a small terrorist group. However, the pirates may view themselves as a possible emerging state that is trying to overthrow the current Somali government. These differences in views may lead to a situation ending in conflict.
Now that the United States navy is getting involved, the pirates are feeling threatened, and tension is building onboard the ship. It is speculated that with each day the negotiations are not settled, the tension within the band of pirates will grow. This could entail a change of beliefs on the part of the pirates.
The $20 million dollars asked of by the Somali pirates may not seem like much money to the United States government, but it is a lot of money in the eyes of the pirates. It may be easier to solve this dilemma by just paying off them off, but the United States does not believe in negotiating with terrorists. The United States does not want to create a state made up of pirates. The pirates believe in making money at any cost, and now many states are putting their foot down to stop this band of pirates. | |
| Perspective |  | Identity |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | October 2, 2008 at 7:18 pm | |
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