The Barbary pirates were a ragtag gang of North African pirates who terrorized Europe for centuries. They pirated commercial shipping, raided as far north as Ireland and Iceland to abduct and enslave Europeans –especially women – for the harems of the Middle East, and exacted tribute in exchange for safe ocean passage.
In two wars, the new United States of America put an end to them. The first was in 1801-1805. The second was ten years later and lasted just a few days, permanently putting the barbarian Barbarians out of business. America and Europe finally stopped paying tribute and ransom and enduring slave raids.
Fast forward to the year 2023. Modern-day Barbary pirates in Iran routinely kidnap Americans and Europeans to hold for ransom. Last week, the Biden administration paid an astonishing $6 billion for the release of six of them – a billion dollars each if my math serves.
Does this not encourage future abductions?
the Aspen beat 