Somali Pirates have attacked over 90 vessels this year and have been paid over $30 million in ransom. Then there is the taking of Sirius Star, which has 2 million barrels of oil on board worth $100m - the largest hijacking in maritime history. European governments are wringing their hands. They always do. The US Fifth fleet has been stationed in the area for years, but apparently not to protect against pirates.

"From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli...", but not, it seems, the shores of Somalia. OK, lets not blame the guys in uniform just yet. Somebody has to send 'em. That would be the current resident of the Whitehouse.

Here's a situation report.