That’s why the choice to send in the SEALs was the right one. The message must be sent that going after Westerners meanings having Westerners come after you. Both France and the United States have large military bases in the region, and they should be used — not only as hostage-rescue launch points, but also as staging areas of air strikes against the criminal bosses who profit off these crimes (Helpful tip: Drop smart bombs on the guys with the nice cars in heavily guarded compounds).
Military power by itself will never be enough to put an end to kidnapping rings, but it can at least change the calculus for those who seek to profit by abducting Western citizens. Kill enough pirates, and even the prospect of a handsome payout may be insufficient incentive to convince anyone else to sign up for the job.
Matt Gurney
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