Why We Should Not Negotiate with Pirates

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Jefferson said, “The United States, while they wish for war with no nation, will buy peace with none.”.....

....So the question for Americans and their leaders is whether we should negotiate with the pirates. As a negotiations coach who has worked with governmental and corporate entities around the world, my answer is no.

To put it another way, Thomas Jefferson was right. It is not a negotiation when ransom is involved. It is thievery, combined with the threat of death for captured crew members. Pirates who engage in it should be subject to the penalty of death.

While piracy falls short of being an act of war, it deserves the same status and clearly the French government regards it as such. Even at the possible cost of the lives of hostages, the French have made it clear that any vessel, to include privately owned yachts under its flag, will receive full protection.

Americans have grown squeamish over the loss of life in combat. It had much to do with the opposition to the war in Iraq, despite the remarkably low number of deaths in battle, compared to the remarkable outcome, one that even President Obama now describes as extraordinary.....