More than 50% of the international trade, by tonnage, is carried by ships. It has always been the responsibility of one competent nation to protect ships at sea from piracy.
That responsibility has changed often. The British were particularly good at protecting the high seas from piracy.
America has been a failure at accepting this responsibility. The first instance of our significant failure was the piracy in the Straits of Malacca and the piracy that attacked Vietnamese refugees. The current disgrace is off of Somalia.
The only excuse for American negligence is our incompetence, our stupidity in failing to understand our role in the world, and most importantly the vigorous lefty hatred of commerce that is still extensive in America.
Protecting ships at sea is America’s responsibility. We are the only pro-commerce country with military power in the world. For the time being we are a disgrace.
I hope some future president apologizes to the world for our neglect of our responsibilities.