The Russians have decided to do something useful with their Navy:
Russia will soon join international efforts to fight piracy off the Somalia coast, but will conduct its operations independently, the Navy commander said on Tuesday.
Pirates are increasingly active in the waters off Somalia, which has no effective government and no navy to police its coastline. The International Maritime Bureau said more than 30 incidents of piracy were registered in the region in 2007. According to UN data, 26 attacks have been committed so far this year off the coast of the East African nation.
"We are planning to participate in international efforts to fight piracy off the Somalia coast, but the Russian warships will conduct operations on their own," Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.
Galrahn speculates on Russian anti-pirate procedures, theorizing that while the Danes release captured pirates and the French prosecute them, the Russians may just shoot them. Ah, for simpler days... Also, CNN is reporting that Somali pirates have seized a Ukranian vessel loaded with T-72 main battle tanks.
If, as now seems likely, a foreign-policy debate does happen tonight, "What is your policy toward piracy off Somalia?" might not be such a bad question.
--Robert Farley
