Piracy: The Legacy of a Failed State
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Four more ships have been seized by Somali pirates who threaten vengeance for those killed during hostage rescues. We hear how instability in the Horn of Africa has bred international lawlessness. Should the merchant nations resort to force or help the region solve economic and political problems? Also, President Obama speaks hard truths about the economy and reverses long-term restrictions on dealing with Cuba.
Banner image: Pirates leave the MV Faina for the Somali shore October 8, 2008 while under observation by a US Navy ship. Owned an doperated by Kaalbye Shipping, the Belize-flagged cargo ship is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related military equipment. The ship was seized by pirates September 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali coast. US Navy photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky
Making News
Obama Tries a Fireside Chat ()
In what the White House billed as a "major speech on the economy" today, President Obama warned that despite massive efforts economic recovery won't come easy. The President took note of complaints that this is the wrong time for massive government spending, saying that economists on the Right as well as the Left believe it's essential. Sheryl Gaye Stolberg is White House Correspondent for the New York Times.
Guests:
- Sheryl Gay Stolberg: White House Reporter, New York Times, @sherylstolberg
Main Topic
Piracy: The Legacy of a Failed State ()
In the hours since President Obama promised to "halt the rise of piracy," four more ships from the Philippines, Liberia, Greece and Togo have been attacked in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Somalia. Naval vessels are in the region. Pirate leaders are threatening vengeance for those killed during French and American rescues. How much longer can fishermen in motorboats defy history's most powerful navies? Can merchant vessels defend themselves? Can military patrols be increased? Is it time to take action on shore either with force or to deal with the political chaos and economic deprivation behind an epidemic of lawlessness?
Guests:
- Chris Davies: Spokesman, NATO’s Allied Maritime Component Command Headquarters
- David Shinn: former Coordinator for Somalia, US State Department
- Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle: Director, Center for Research and Dialogue
- Derek Reveron: Professor of National Security Affairs, Naval War College
- Ruth Wedgewood: Professor of Law, Johns Hopkins University
Reporter's Notebook
Obama Opens US Travel to Cuba ()
Cuba will be a major topic at this week's Summit of the Americas, when President Obama meets Latin American leaders in Trinidad. Yesterday, Obama reversed past policy and removed all restrictions on Cuban-Americans to travel home or send money to relatives. But yesterday's move is a long way from lifting the 47-year old embargo on trade. Tim Padgett, Miami and Latin American Bureau Chief for Time magazine, considers the likely impact in Cuba and the political implications in Florida.
Guests:
- Tim Padgett: Miami and Latin America Bureau Chief, Time magazine, @TimPadgett2
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