Topic: Pirates

Somali pirates attack two ships, hold North Korea crew hostage

Somali pirates attacked a Ukraine ship and Singapore-operated vessel with a North Korea crew. With the end of the monsoon, piracy is on the upswing.

Are Somalia's pirates linked to Al Qaeda?

Reports that pirates may want to swap a British couple they captured last week for fellow pirates detained by foreign navies have fueled speculation that the pirates are linking up with Islamist militants.

Maoists' hijacking of Indian train reveals new audacity

Some 300 Naxalite rebels hijacked a swanky passenger train Tuesday. The attack ended peacefully, but the urban target shocked India and deepened concern about the rebels' reach.

Why Somali pirates are hijacking yachts in Seychelles

Missing British couple's yacht was found adrift near the Seychelles. Somali pirates are going further afield to dodge US, European naval patrols.

Somali pirates say they have British couple hostage

Somali pirates say they will soon issue a ransom to Rachel and Paul Chandler's family. Pirates have upped their attacks significantly this year, but the international response is also becoming increasingly robust.

China vows to save crew held by Somali pirates. But how?

Chinese officials hint that violent action may be taken to rescue the 25 Chinese crew members aboard a cargo ship seized by Somali pirates on Monday.

Top 5 blunders of Somali pirates

Somali pirates attacked a French Navy ship by accident Tuesday night. Five suspects are in custody.

Russia denies mystery ship was carrying missiles to Iran

Speculation that the Arctic Sea cargo ship seized in the Baltic in July was carrying weapons or other illicit cargo continues to swirl.

Yemen's fishermen caught between Somali pirates and pirate hunters

Attacks by both Somali pirates and international ships hunting them have crippled Yemen's fishing business, the tiny country's second-largest export industry after oil.

Pirates, Inc.: Inside the booming Somali business

Meet the modern-day brigands behind the sometimes sophisticated, always risky operations that raked in an estimated $80 million in ransoms in 2008.

Islamist offensive ruins the West's plan for Somalia

Militant Islamists have the moderate government surrounded in Mogadishu. If they took over, it would be a devastating blow to US counter-terrorism and anti-piracy efforts in East Africa.

Words that retain a certain roguish appeal

The Monitor's language columnist considers the swashbuckling vocabulary of piracy.

Obama meets Captain Richard Phillips and then plays hoops

Somali insurgency driving thousands of refugees to Kenya

Islamist militias' clashes with Somalia's government has forced more than 25,000 to flee.

With piracy odds in their favor, ships shun armed guards

The small number of successful pirate attacks, an increase in military patrols, and legal concerns have kept many firms from hiring security.

High seas détente: S. Korea rescues N. Korean ship from Somali pirates

United by a common enemy, South Korea's Navy moves to protect a North Korean cargo ship.

An interview with a jailed Somali pirate leader

Behind the bare brick walls of a desolate former British colonial prison in Somali land, five jailed Somali pirates didn't seem very fearsome at all.

Somali pirates nabbed trying to attack French Navy - by accident

Somali vigilantes fight back against pirates

The men, who captured 12 armed pirates, are part of a newly formed militia. They are expected to turn the pirates over to Somali authorities.

Piracy and divine Love's redeeming power

A Christian Science perspective.

Teen Somali pirate to be tried as adult

Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse, who was charged in New York Tuesday, is the first in more than a century to be tried for piracy in the US.

Accused Somali arrives in US to face piracy charges

Musi's case is thought to be the first of its kind in the US in more than a century.

NATO stops attack by Somali pirates

German lawyers launch pirate defense team

The tangled case involves Somali pirates, a German ship, an overcrowded Kenyan prison, and allegations of human rights abuses.

Piracy now high on Washington agenda

Secretary Clinton vows action, and seeks an international effort against the Somali pirates