1. Why is the shipping industry resisting calls to put armed guards on their cargo ships?

2. List several concerns with weaponizing commercial ships.

3. Why do you think that commercial shipping companies do not want to publicly discuss whether they are considering private security?

4. a) What solution does Andrew Linington of the seafarers union in London propose?
b)  What motive might Mr. Linington have for supporting this solution?

5. a)What responsibilities do you think ship owners have to protect their own cargo and crew in international waters?
b) What responsibilities do you think the U.S. government and military have to protect commercial ships in international waters?

6. How has pirate activity increased costs to ship owners?

7. What problems are there for ships trying to avoid pirates by taking a long route around the Cape of Good Hope instead of traveling through the Gulf of Aden?

8. What steps is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton taking to combat piracy?

9. Re-read para. 29-32. Read about the International Chamber of Shipping (ICs) under "Background" below.
a) What do you think of Simon Bennett of the ICS suggesting military action be taken?  All but one of the ships taken by pirates are foreign. Should the U.S. be involved in a military action in Somalia?
b) What do you think is the best solution to the pirate attacks?  Explain your answer.