Piracy Threat in Somalia

Piracy Threat in Somalia SGT Figueras, Diego Piracy has steadily been on the rise along the Horn of Africa primarily along the coast of Somalia. In recent years, piracy has gained the attention from the United States (U.S.) and the international community about its consistent and ever increasing threat. A well-known example of Somalias rampant piracy threat occur in April of 2009, when Somalian pirates forcibly captured the shipping vessel Maersk Alabamas skipper, Richard Phillips, as a hostage (Boot, 2009). The situation ended when U.S. Navy Seals, conducted a rescue operation that freed Captain Phillips. The media coverage that followed revealed to the U.S. that piracy is and will be continue to be a source of conflict without U.S. assistance and East African Naval cooperation. Second order of effects The Captain Phillips rescue led to the U.S. and East African nations (EAN) developing anti-piracy procedures. However, even with the new procedures the U.S. and EAN still failed to recognize piracy as a legitimate concern in the region. The lack of action from the U.S. and EAN allowed piracy to flourish. From 2009 through 2011, there was an estimated 850 attacks on military and commercial vessels costing $6.6 -$6.9 billion dollars in damage and ransoms. The Somali piracy threat reached its climax in 2011, where Somali pirates began affecting shipping lanes, causing the cost of goods, such as, (oil, food, technology) to rise worldwide (Mueller, 2013). At the end of 2011, the U.S. and EAN finally recognized the severity of the Somali piracy threat. Third order of effects In 2012, the U.S. Navy began being more active against the threat posed by Somali pirates. The U.S. sent naval ships such as, destroyers and cruises to begin patrolling and responding to ships under duress from Somali pirates. The increased presence and timely reaction by the U.S. Navy, has caused a significant decrease in piracy activity in the region. From 2012 through 2015, there were only estimated 264 attacks from Somali pirates (Fiorelli, 2014). That is a 68% decrease of pirate attacks since the height of Somali piracy from 2009 through 2011. The threat posed by the U.S. Navy to the Somali pirates has been a significant detergent against piracy. Predictive assessment The threat posed from Somali pirates is steadily decreasing each passing year. In order to eliminate the threat posed by Somali pirates, the U.S. Navy will require more assistance and cooperation from EAN. The U.S. Navy will not always be able to defend the international shipping lanes from Somali pirate attacks. In addition, because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. populace will not be supportive to another long-term U.S. military commitment. EAN and their naval forces must began taking a more active role and eventually spearhead the anti-piracy effort to effectively eliminate piracy. However, I assess that EAN will not be able to meet the demands require to effectively counter piracy along the Horn of Africa. Because, EAN does not have financial means, logistical support, equipment require nor the trained personnel to effectively sustain long-term anti-piracy operations unlike the U.S. If the U.S. Navy were to cease anti-piracy operations, piracy would reappear, potent ially return to its climax seen in 2011 and once again cause havoc in the international shipping lanes. The Al Shabaab threat to Somalia Al Shabaab is currently East Africas largest and most active terrorist organization. In the past decade, Al Shabaab has successfully gained an area of operations that covers the entire Horn of Africa. In 2014, Somali security forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) began conducting counter insurgency operations against Al Shabaab. However, three years of counterterrorism operations has yielded little results in disrupting Al Shabaab operations. Al Shabaab still controls a vast majority of southern and central Somalia and within the past year, has been becoming more active in Somalia. In January 2016, Al Shabaab conducted a complex attack that resulted in overrunning an AMISOM base near the Kenya-Somalia border. Al Shabaab claims to have killed more than 100 AMISOM Soldiers; however, that number has yet to be confirm even a one year later. In addition, in the past seven months, Al-Shabaab has successfully overran two additional AMISOM bases and plundered equipment, ve hicles and weaponry. The equipment and resources retrieved from AMISOM bases have not only strengthen Al Shabaab military capabilities, but also asserted themselves as a legitimate threat to Somalias sovereignty. Second order of effects Al Shabaabs recent success has increased their confidence to operate openly as a legitimate form of government in southern and central Somalia. However, their inability to act as a legitimate government has significant consequences to the Somali citizens within its territory. Southern and central Somalia suffer from extreme drought, which has cause a famine in the region. International surveys suggest that roughly, 3.6 million Somali citizens suffer from starvation and many more suffer from life threatening medical issues as a result. Al Shabaab government and leadership is not prepared to handle this current crisis let alone provide for the citizens basic needs. To make matters worse, the Al Shabaab government has banned all Western and United Nations humanitarian aid organizations access to its territory. Their Islamic counterparts, the Islamic Relief, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are all limited in their capabilities to combat the spread of famine. In addition, are not able to provide the medical relief and food aid desperately required by the Somali citizens. References Boot, M., 2009. Pirates, Then and Now: How Piracy Was Defeated in the Past and Can Be Again. Foreign Affairs Journal. 88. no. 4: 94-107. Besley, T., Fetzer, T. and Mueller, H. 2013. The welfare cost of lawlessness: Evidence from Somali piracy. VOX: Research-based policy analysis and commentary from leading economists. Retrieved 04 February 2017 (http://www.voxeu.org/article/welfare-cost-lawlessness-evidence-somali-piracy). Fiorelli, M., 2014. Piracy in Africa: The case of the Gulf of Guinea. Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. No. 37: 1-16.

Industrial Hemp

Legalize Industrial Hemp General Purpose: To inform the class on why industrial hemp is illegal and the benefits of legalizing industrial hemp. Specific Purpose: To provide my audience with a better understanding of how useful industrial hemp could be for the economy. Central Idea: Due to the war on drugs, hemp production is severely limited; however, with the proper legalization and regulation of this plant the U. S. economy would prosper due to job creation and the environment would benefit by the amount of tress saved. Introduction Attention A.Imagine if scientists discovered a new plant, a plant they say has the potential to both save money and conserve the environment. B. The plant grows quickly, is easy to cultivate, and can be used as a staple in virtually any industry. 1. Textiles, building materials, food, paper, and cosmetics, even fuel can be made from this seemingly magical crop. C. This plant is a renewable resource that ecologically benefits the environment it is plante d in. D. But here’s the punch line: this plant exists, and humans have been using it for thousands of years. * II. Orientation A. I am a US consumer and a user of hemp products.B. The legalization of Industrial Hemp would give the U. S. an opportunity to become stronger economically, strengthen national security and help heal the environment. C. Due to its high content of beneficial oils and natural emollient properties, hemp is becoming a common ingredient in lotions and many other skin, hair, and cosmetic products. 1. It is a good alternative to toxic chemicals present in many petroleum based lotions and cosmetics. Main Body * I. It is illegal to grow industrial hemp in the United States, with the exception of a few states that have passed legislation allowing the crop’s cultivation.This is because of hemp’s unfortunate cousin, marijuana. A. The main difference between the two plants is the amount of tetrahybrocannabinol (better known as THC), the chemical in marijuana that induces psychoactive effects in users. 1. Industrial hemp and marijuana are not the same plant, and there is nothing anyone can do to turn a hemp plant into a marijuana plant. 2. Industrial hemp is less than one percent THC, while marijuana generally has a THC content between five and 20 percent. This makes it nearly impossible to get high from smoking hemp. B. To receive a standard psychoactive dose of THC from hemp, according to naihc. rg, one would have to smoke 10 to 12 hemp cigarettes in an extremely short period of time. C. The large volume and high temperature of the smoke would be almost impossible for a person to withstand. * II. Growing industrial hemp in the U. S. would be extremely beneficial environmentally. A. Industrial hemp as been used as paper as far back as 770 AD in China and drafts of the United States Constitution was written on hemp paper. 1. Hemp can yield as much as four times more pulp per acre compared to trees. 2. Hemp takes 120 days to mat ure, compare that to trees that take decades to mature. 3.Countless trees would be allowed to remain standing for oxygen production and carbon sequestration, which would reduce global warming. B. Amongst it's thousands of uses, Hemp is an eco-friendly alternative to producing food, oils, body care products, cosmetics, consumer and industrial textiles, building materials, industrial and technical products too numerous to name here. C. Hemp requires no harmful chemicals such as pesticides and fungicides, grows extremely fast in any climate and also replenishes the soil with nutrients and nitrogen which helps control erosion of topsoil, a serious agricultural problem in the U.S. and globally. III. Growing industrial hemp in the U. S. would be highly beneficial economically. A. It would put more Americans to work and the U. S. would not have to import industrial hemp from other countries anymore. 1. Industrial hemp can create jobs in these counties where unemployment is well above the n ational average. 2. With a North American market that exceeds $300 million in annual retail sales and continued rising demand, industrial hemp could generate thousands of sustainable new jobs, helping America to get back on track. B. Hemp is stronger than normal fiberboard.In France, a mixture of hemp, water and lime is used to make cement that is used in the building of 300 homes per year. C. Industrial hemp as a cash crop in the United States has a history as old as the United States itself. 1. The Founding Fathers grew hemp and it was an integral crop in the economic structure of the colonial United States. 2. Industrial hemp supported our economy during World War II. Conclusion I. Summary A. There are many uses for industrial hemp and there are many economic and environmental advantages with industrial hemp.B. We can import it, we can sell products made from industrial hemp, but we cannot grow it. II. Clincher A. It makes no sense to ban growing a plant that has enormous economi c and environmental potential, grows naturally by the millions, and is impossible to exterminate. B. There are no good reasons why the growing of industrial hemp in the United States is illegal at this time. C. Considering the benefits growing hemp, not only should it be legalized, the government should actually encourage farmers to grow it. D. U. S.Presidents and founding fathers George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp, used hemp products, and were hemp advocates. 1. â€Å"Make the most of the hemp seed, sow it everywhere. † – George Washington, first president of the U. S. and hemp advocate. * Works Cited Colwell, D. (2009, Mar. 25). AlterNet. Retrieved Nov. 01, 2012, from Hemp Is Not Pot: It's the Economic Stimulus and Green Jobs Solution We Need http://www. alternet. org Curran, D. (2010, Nov. 16). The Massachusetts Daily Collegian . Retrieved Nov. 4, 2012, from Legailize industrial hemp. Golden, S. (1996). The Hemp Industry Source Book. Sebastopol: Mari K ane.

Descriptive Essay Final Copy

I grab my bag and a hair-tie from the vanity on my way Out the door, tying my waist-length brown hair in a knot as I hurry down the stairs. My nana stands at the stove, stirring the pot of gravy she is making for breakfast. Behind her stands my papaw, playfully yanking her ponytail every time she turns around. At first glance one would think that they make an odd couple, with my nana being only five feet tall, with fox-red hair and hazel green eyes, in near perfect contrast to my papaw who is a large man, standing nearly six foot four, with eyes the color of the sky and white air that was once jet black.But as they laugh and play standing there in the kitchen, I know this place would mean nothing if they were any different. I slip on my boots at the door, and run across the field to the old wooden barn, its red has long faded, and the metal door handles are covered with rust. Reach out and grab the rusty handle and pull, hearing the ancient hinges creak and groan as the door opens. W alking into the barn can smell the fresh hay, and the lingering smell of the old moonshine still that sits in the corner, unattended for years, but left for the antique look.I climb the ladder to the loft, and wade through the piles of hay until reach the little door that opens onto the roof. Climb out onto the roof and walk to the end of the barn. There sit down, my leg hanging over the edge of the black shingled roof. I sit and watch as the deer run across the field, and as the train go by down next to the river. Reach in my bag and pull out my sketch pad and charcoals. I draw everything I see, the river, the birds, and the mountains. After I finish, climb down and run to the house; pause at the door, leaning own to pull off my boots.I open the door, and step into the kitchen, the floor is warm from the heat of the old white stove, causing tiny droplets of condensation to form on the speckled blue wallpaper. Nana has already set the table, her faded blue and white china resting in front of three chairs on the blue table cloth that covers the deep brown oak table. On each plate sit two biscuits, golden and gleaming with butter, accompanied by sausage and fried eggs. Grab the pot from the Stove and ladle the thick, creamy gravy onto everyone's plates.The steam rises from each plate like a plume of smoke from a tiny fire, taking with it the wonderful smell of my nana's cooking. As we sit down to eat, we join hands and my papaw gives the blessing; thanking God for the food he has provided on this day, and for forty years h?s had with the wonderful woman who cooked it. See my nana smile with love for my papaw, her head still bowed in prayer as we say ‘amen. ‘ As we raise our heads, I smile too, knowing that this place is filled with love and laughter and always will be.

The Constraints of Poverty Essay - 901 Words

The constraints of poverty can cause a cycle of poor mental and physical heath (Dittmann, 2003). Poverty causes many problems for the people facing it up front everyday. Not only do they go without many necessities, they also face a tremendous amount of stress all the time. The amount of stress combined with the lack of necessities produces extreme health problems. Poor people have to deal with an unhealthy living environment that creates serious mental and physical health problems. Economic status definitely effects health in many ways. Most people in poverty dont exactly live in the best areas. Actually, many of them reside in some of the worst places imaginable. Imagine being so afraid to walk out of your front door†¦show more content†¦Since most people in poverty lack exercise and healthy meals they are more likely to be obese. Children are more likely to be obese because the parks are too dangerous for them to play in and the under-funded schools in the area are less likely to have physical education programs and after school programs. Bad living conditions combined with poor nutrition increases the probability that poor people will contract a disease. Also, poor people are more likely to smoke in return causing cancer and other ailments. Early pregnancies, linked to lack of education and unemployment, occur more frequently in underprivileged women, resulting in more poverty and decreasing the likelihood that mother and child will escape a life of poverty. Poor children are more likely to face continuing obstacles to success: schools that arent conductive to learning, and neighborhoods with high levels of violence, asthma-inducing pathogens, and unsafe play areas (Hà ©bert, 2003). Consequently, more poverty is created which produces more problems. High unemployment rates, stress, and many other problems create tension in within the homes of poor people that leads to abuse. Abuse is another problem that many unfortunate people have to deal with constantly. Violence and abuse experiences are both precursors to and concomitants of mental and behavioral disorders (qtd. in Myers Gill, 2004). Along with violence and abuse, the stress from existing in a life full ofShow MoreRelatedThe Alleviation Of Poverty And The Complete Eradication Of Financial Constraints1491 Words   |  6 PagesThe alleviation of poverty and the complete eradication of financial constraints among most individuals are two important processes that strive towards the achievement of a better life. The inclusion of income security programs in the federal policies and programs of most governments is supposed to protect its citizens from impoverished situations once they grow older. 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