The problem with piracy, historically, is that there’s never really been very many “noble pirates.” It goes back to the classic tale of Robin Hood, in the real world Robin Hoods do exist, and they do steal from the rich and give to the poor. They also steal from the anyone else they can for the enrichment of either themselves or their local clan.
There might be something noble about pirates that exclusively preyed on slavers, I doubt that has ever been the case. Former slaves who were pirates probably liked to take slave ships, at least early in their pirating careers–but eventually they ended up being driven by a desire for profit wherever it came from.
I’m a pretty law and order kind of guy, but I don’t view these modern day pirates as the “next great evil.” They’re a cost of doing business, piracy has always been a cost of doing business at sea, period. Does that mean I’m advocating we just keep paying them and ignore the situation? No, not at all, that would lead to more lawlessness in the region and could ultimately seriously hamper international trade routes. But my position is pirate’s are pure creatures of greed, ultimately. Sure, some of them may be driven into piracy out of abject poverty and a culture of lawlessness from which their is no escape–but the multi-million dollar ransoms that are taking it to the next level are purely greed-inspired. I think the best way to handle pirates is to treat them like the creatures of greed that they are. Form an international treaty that requires signatory countries to criminalize any ransom payments made to pirates, as long as a decent portion of the first world signs on a huge incentive for the pirates is lost.
Sure, they can always steal the cargo but at least then they have to make an honest living–it’s a lot harder to move tons of fruit or jeans than it is to just take a nice wad of cash. The profit margin will decrease dramatically.
I’m not saying we ignore the tried and true tools to use against pirates (engaging them, stopping them, and prosecuting them whenever possible) but this isn’t a problem that requires an invasion by any means.
Lets also keep in mind the alternative, the only way the Barbary Pirates were ever truly stopped is when France invaded and killed a third of the population (of course many of those killed were not pirates.) I don’t see us going that route in the 21st century.