Disclosure : This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Pirates of the 21st Century

In November 2008, Somali pirates seized the Sirius Star, a supertanker carrying $100 million-worth of oil and demanded a $25 million ransom for its return. This story, following hot on the heels of the capture of the Ukrainian vessel MV Faina, brought piracy back to the front pages – but these were by no means isolated incidents. Over the past few years, piracy has once again become the scourage of the high seas. Throughout 2008, close to 90 ships were seized in the Gulf of Aden alone and, in many cases, the pirates were paid million-dollar ransoms to release them. What is the reason for this modern-day phenomenon and just who are the men behind it? What started as a patrol to combat commerical plundering of their fish stocks has now grown into a highly organised and lucrative business. In a war-torn country, the pirates have brought hope and entire villages depend on the wealth that they bring in – they have even been likened to Robin Hood. But whatever the motives behind their actions, these modern-day buccaneers should not be romanticised – their attacks are becoming more violent and they are increasingly in possession of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.Nigel Cawthorne looks at the attacks that have taken place in the Malacca Straits, the Gulf of Guinea and off the coast of Bangladesh, plus he questions how the international community and its peace-keeping forces can try to bring stability and security back to the oceans of the world.

Related Products:

Medieval Pirates: Privateers, Raiders and Piracy in the English Channel True Stories of Pirates Sticker Pirates Life Among the Pirates The Pirates Pocket-Book Actions to be Taken to Prevent Acts of Piracy and Armed Robbery, 2011 Edition – IMO Model Course Pirates – Sounds of the Past Black Flags, Blue Waters: The Epic History of America`s Most Notorious Pirates Little Transfer Book Pirates The Pirates of Scurvy Sands Default ThumbnailPirates Sticker Dressing Pirates Pirates of the Caribbean Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist Ten Little Pirates Mega Mash-up: Pirates V Ancient Egyptians in a Haunted Museum 21st Century Tokyo Pirates Own Book Pirates In The Supermarket (pb May I See You Home?: 19th-Century Pickups for 21st-Century Suitors Pirates Magnified: With a 3x Magnifying Glass Pirates of Barbary Warduff and the Pelican Pirates The Hidden History of Burma: Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century Twelve Photographic Journeys: Iran in the 21st Century Of Women: In the 21st Century 21 Lessons for the 21st Century Social Class in the 21st Century All In It Together: England in the Early 21st Century The Age of Spectacle: Adventures in Architecture and the 21st-Century City Art Cities of the Future: 21st-Century Avant-Gardes One Clear Ice-cold January Morning at the Beginning of the 21st Century Gifts of Gravity and Light: A Nature Almanac for the 21st Century Populista: The Rise of Latin America`s 21st Century Strongman Robin of Sherwood The Adventures of Robin Hood: Green Puffin Classics Piracy & Armed Robbery Prevention, 2011 Edition – IMO Model Course – E-Book 21st-Century Yokel Little First Stickers Pirates Palestine and the Palestinians in the 21st Century