Modern Day Pirates

Until recently, piracy was a crime that few people expected to encounter in the modern world. Today's pirates pilot motorboats and carry assault rifles, and utilize modern technology in order to carry out raids. This book examines modern-day piracy in detail, delving into the social and economic motivators that have given rise to contemporary nautical crime. The engaging text covers the regions in which piracy is most prevalent, famous incidents, And The ways in which the international community has attempted to fight today's pillagers of the sea. Filled with gripping, full-color images of pirates being captured, receiving ransom, and being marched to trial, this book stands alone in giving young readers insight into this fascinating and troubling topic.

The BBC reports that modern day pirates are organized gangs that take people prisoner, steal money, and pilfer expensive goods. Since 1992, approximately 3,583 pirate attacks have taken place, and 340 crew or passengers have been killed. The most dangerous areas for modern piracy are the Malacca Straits, the coast of Somalia, the South China Sea, the coast of Iraq, and the Niger Delta. This book provides thorough and balanced information on modern-day piracy. Its visually appealing presentation and compelling examples provide ample context about the effects and frequency of piracy in the modern era.

A global account of pirates and their modus operandi from the middle ages to the present day In the twenty-first century piracy has regained a central place in Western culture, thanks to a surprising combination of Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as well as the dramatic rise of modern-day piracy around Somalia and the Horn of Africa. In this global history of the phenomenon, maritime terrorism and piracy expert Peter Lehr casts fresh light on pirates. Ranging from the Vikings and Wako pirates in the Middle Ages to modern day Somali pirates, Lehr delves deep into what motivates pirates and how they operate. He also illuminates the state's role in the development of piracy throughout history: from privateers sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth to pirates operating off the coast of Africa taking the law into their own hands. After exploring the structural failures which create fertile ground for pirate activities, Lehr evaluates the success of counter-piracy efforts--and the reasons behind its failures.

Presents case studies and analysis of modern maritime piracy, describing who the pirates are, how they operate, where they are located, and what is being done to stop them.

Looks at the attacks that have taken place in the Malacca Straits, the Gulf of Guinea, and off the coast of Bangladesh, and questions how international peacekeeping forces can try to bring stability and security back to the oceans of the worldPiracy is rife in the South China Sea and has returned to the Caribbean and South America, and this fascinating book examines how a phenomenon thought to be consigned to history is once again a worldwide problem.It also looks at attacks that have taken place in the Malacca Straits and the fate of the couple making a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world by yacht, and questions how the international community and its peacekeeping forces can try to bring stability and security back to the oceans. What started as a patrol to combat commercial plundering of Somali fish stocks has now grown into a highly organized and lucrative business. In a war-torn country, the pirates have brought hope and entire villages depend on the wealth that they bring inthey have even been likened to Robin Hood. But these modern-day buccaneers should not be romanticizedtheir attacks are becoming more violent and they are increasingly in possession of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades."

Pirates. To many, the word conjures up images of swashbucklers in the eighteenth century. The very idea that pirates might still ply the seas today seems preposterous and far-fetched. But pirates most definitely still exist. And as Terror On the Seas shows, their violent activities on the other side of the glove can have wide-reaching effects— whether on our economy or the war on terror. Daniel Sekulich takes readers on an eye-opening voyage into the world of high seas piracy, a multinational, multibillion-dollar enterprise controlled by organized crime syndicates and local warlords. Sekulich sails through some of the most dangerous waters on the planet to chronicle this threat to national and international security. He meets with victims of attacks, those fighting the perils, and even pirates themselves. Terror on the Seas tells an explosive story of modern piracy, one that’s costing over $25 billion a year to battle and that poses the risks of environmental disaster, economic chaos, and holy war.

Over the past few years, piracy has once again the scourge 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 commercial plundering of Somali 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 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.In this fascinating book, Nigel Cawthorne examines how a phenomenon thought to be consigned to history is once again a worldwide problem: piracy is rife in the South China Sea and has returned to the Caribbean and South America. The author also looks at attacks that have taken place in the Malacca Straits and the fate of the couple making a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world by yacht. 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.