1. How and when was American ship captain Richard Phillips rescued from Somali pirates?

2. a) What future threats might this rescue create, according to Admiral Gortney, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces CENTCOM?
b) What information gives hope that this might not happen? - What is a more realistic threat to shippers?

3. a) When did President Obama give the military permission to use force to rescue Captain Phillips?
b) The pirates attacked Capt. Phillips ship Wednesday. Do you think the President should have given this permission sooner? Explain your answer.

4. How did Capt. Phillips' crew react to the news of his rescue?

5. How many ships and crew members from which other countries are Somali pirates currently holding?

6. Do you think that this rescue will cause Somali pirates to avoid attacking American ships in the future? Explain your answer.

7. The Somali pirates are a serious threat to one of the world's most important shipping lanes. What should be done about the pirates? (by the U.S. and other countries?)