The Hill News

In 1801, Thomas Jefferson faced the first crucial decision of his presidency: allow piracy to expand and threaten American shipping, or confront piracy head-on. Jefferson acted decisively. He sent a brand new U.S. Navy to the waters off North Africa, defeated the Barbary pirates and re-secured American shipping. 

Two hundred years later, we stand at a new decision point involving 21st century pirates and the threats they pose to American interests. Over the last three years, attacks involving Somali pirates increased by over 300 percent with over 20 merchant ships and over 480 western and allied sailors being held hostage. 

The rise of piracy can be a metaphor for a potential decline of the United States. America was recognized as a new international power when it suppressed piracy in 1815. Its failure against Somali pirates may send the wrong â€" and irreversible signal â€" that America is in decline.

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