Despite the fact that there are now six US battleships babysitting the hijacked MV Faina off the coast of Somali, pirates have tried to hijack four more ships in the area — in the past 24 hours. From the AP:

Navy Cmdr. Jane Campbell, from the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, says three attacks were averted because crew members escaped at high speed.

Another attack was foiled because the pirates were badly prepared: The ladder they had brought to climb on to the ship was too short.

Earlier tonight, I discussed this story with Joe Hicks on KFI AM 640 in Los Angeles. How will the drama end?

• Pay the Ransom? Not likely. With the US Navy having played babysitter to the hijacked ship all week, it's unlikely they're going to let the pirates cash out and leave. Besides, who will pay? The ship is owned by Israelis, operated by Ukrainians, registered in Belize — with Ukrainians, Russians and a Latvian on board. One Russian crew member is already dead, which explains why a Russian ship is headed into play. 
• Surrender? Not likely. The pirates say they're ready for battle. Besides, there is enough heavy weaponry on board to start a small war, including 150 grenade launchers and 6 surface-to-air-missiles.
• Commando Style Raid? French President Nicolas Sarkozy pulled it off two weeks ago with great success; five captured pirates, one dead pirate, both hostages unharmed. But the French had the element of surprise.

Regardless of how this individual scenario unfolds, a much larger problem remains. British Think Tank author Roger Middleton of Chatham House explains why: Piracy in Somalia: Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars.

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