Undated photo of the Maltese-registered, Finnish-chartered vessel, Arctic Sea, that mysteriously disappeared off the coast of France two weeks ago. (SOVFRACHT/Reuters)Intrigue Swirls Around Missing Russian Ship -- Christian Science Monitor
Has piracy really returned to Europe's waters after 100 years, or is something else.
MOSCOW – The Arctic Sea, a Russian-operated ship missing in the Atlantic, might be the victim of one of the first true hijackings at sea in Europe since the Barbary pirates were defeated in the 19th century.
But analysts are skeptical that a Somalia-style attack on shipping is possible in modern Europe. Speculation in the Russian media has turned to alternative explanations: Nuclear-weapons smuggling? An intermafia dispute with the ship’s crew as pawns? Old-fashioned insurance fraud? All have been posited.
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More News On This Missing Freighter
Investigators across Europe join search for ship -- AP
Too many questions surround missing Russian ship? -- RT (video)
Russian Warships Join Atlantic Hunt for Missing Freighter -- Voice of America
Russian Navy Joins Hunt for Missing Ship -- Business Week
Speculation rife over missing ship -- BBC
Missing ship may have secret cargo -- The Age
Russia “Will Use Force” if Ghost Ship Found -- FOX News
Missing at Sea: Has Piracy Spread to Europe's Waters? -- Time Magazine
My Comment: This is a weird case. It smells like a case of naval piracy .... but there is no ransom demand.