Saturday, February 14, 2009

The Gulf of Aden

I don't think this is just about pirates.
The U.S. Navy announced last month the formation of the new task force dedicated to combating piracy in the region.

Pirates have been seizing vessels in the Gulf of Aden, which connects Europe to Asia and the Middle East via the Suez Canal, hijacking dozens of ships last year and taking tens of millions of dollars in ransom payments...

The Combined Task Force 150, with about eight ships, includes U.S. vessels and others from Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany and Pakistan.
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Japan to deploy naval ships off Somalia.
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Russia sent a warship.
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December: "Chinese Ships Will Fight Pirates"
China has announced it is to send naval ships to fight rampant piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. State media suggested the force could consist of two destroyers and a supply ship, although officials did not confirm the details of the deployment.
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November: "India Leads Fight Against Somali Pirates"
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This is basically a who's who of major and emerging powers, all getting to practice with their expensive toys in a crucial strategic area. As the top secret website wikipedia notes:
"The Gulf of Aden is a vital waterway for shipping, especially for Persian Gulf oil, making it an integral waterway in the world economy. Approximately 11 percent of the world's seaborne petroleum passes through the Gulf of Aden on its way to the Suez Canal or to regional refineries."
There is a substantial amount of firepower in the region now.

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