Yes, I know the world is so much more complex and we must indulge the sensitive nature of these indigenous people. We should take a lesson from the Chinese. Gotta love the Chinese for subtlety:
Contrarian: Speaking of the Barbary Pirates and the US response to same, have you read the contemporaneous writings of Jefferson and Franklin on the Musselmen (Muslims)?
There was a recognition over 200 years ago on America’s part as to the predatory nature of Islam, as well as the fact that Muslims accorded non-Muslims no respect and were seeking to enforce their will (such as piracy against American vessels) regardless of consequences.
As Contrarian points out, America’s response put paid to that and is forever enshrined in Marine Corps lore (“Shores of Tripoli”).
The Chinese respected and admired the hell out of the pirate/killers they apprehended…. right up to the time the Chinese put rifle bullets through their heads. Very low recidivism rate. And (strangely) not many pirates attacking Chinese vessels since. Go figure.
