The Danger of Escalation.

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    • Abstract:
      This article considers the concerns of maritime experts with the decision of U.S. President Barack Obama to authorize the killing of three Somali pirates holding an American sea captain hostage in April, 2009. In 2008, 42 successful pirate attacks occurred off the coast of Somalia, but none involved any casualties. Maritime experts believe that because the central motivation of pirates is the collection of ransoms, it is to their benefit to return hostages unharmed.