The World for Ransom

In a lively narrative that includes fascinating historical research as well up-to-date information on the current effort to combat piracy, this lucidly presented book provides a coherent, practical blueprint for tackling, and perhaps resolving, the international menace of both piracy and terrorism. Attacks on cargo ships along the Somali coast by maritime thieves have recast the image of piracy for the twenty-first century. Gone is the faded sepia image of Captain Kidd and buried treasure. In its place are gangs of seaborne brigands with rocket launchers, who bear a striking resemblance in appearance and actions to terrorists. This compelling study shows that the case for linking piracy and terrorism goes much deeper than shared imagery. In fact, from a legal standpoint piracy may offer civilized society the key to fighting international terrorism. Drawing both from historical examples and the present-day situation in the Gulf of Aden, the author proves that piracy and terrorism are the same crime. If the international community took the logical step of defining terrorists as pirates, these thugs would no longer find a safe harbor and they could be captured wherever they are found under the customary law of universal jurisdiction. Moreover, the current maze of legal restrictions that hampers the prosecution of both pirates and terrorists would be eliminated. Examining measures taken by states over one hundred years ago to stamp out piracy, the author constructs a model law for terrorism based on piracy. He then suggests how such a law for terrorism might transform the hunt for al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. It would provide both a precedent and a legal framework for future trials and would facilitate the capture of suspected terrorists around the world.