Pirate Wars

The trading nations are in the unusual situation of an onslaught of piracy on the high seas.

There is an extraordinary precedent in the 2 "Barbary Wars" fought by the US (occasionally with the support of different allies allies): the first from Protected content 1805, and the second, briefer, in Protected content .

In both the Congress authorised military action, pressed by Jefferson, to eliminate Piracy, and holding trading vessels to ransom.

The final war was brought to a (successful) conclusion by the naval bombardment of Algiers.

There is stuff on Wikipedia, and in the Library of Congress

Déjà vu ?