uh-oh. Somali Pirates have seized an American-flagged ship along with 21 Americans off the eastern coast of Somalia. This is clearly the first international life-and-death crisis for President Obama.
Ed Morrissey asks:

The Somali pirates have operated in this region for a few years. Thus far, the world has seemed disinclined to put pressure on the pirates of Aden Gulf, despite the headlines they have grabbed lately. The US Navy now has an entree into the fight, and it will be interesting to see how the Obama administration reacts. The US has downlook satellites and a treasure trove of assets with which they can track down the Maersk Alabama and its crew.

Will Obama use that to send the pirates a message about attacking American shipping? Or will this be a “new chance for dialogue”?

Anyone else starting to think that Joe Biden is psychic. Remember this from the NY Post:

“Mark my words,” Biden told donors at a Seattle fund-raiser Sunday night.

“It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America.

“Watch. We’re going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.

“And he’s going to need help . . . to stand with him. Because it’s not going to be apparent initially; it’s not going to be apparent that we’re right.”

I pray that all ends well for the Americans but I fear that Obama will see this as an opportunity for dialogue. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I think many Americans are going into this crisis unsure of our Commander in Chief. And that’s not a good way to enter into a crisis.

Just today I read at Gateway Pundit that The White House was warning Israel not to attack Iran, despite the fact that Iran is clearly developing a nuclear weapon, has vowed to destroy Israel, and is currently responsible for American deaths on the battlefield in the effort formerly known as “The War on Terror.”

We should all pray for Obama and the hostages and everyone involved in this crisis for a peaceful and effective solution. This could very well be a pivotal moment in the presidency of Barack Obama and the United States. I think it would be foolish to underestimate thsi incident. Recall that it was the sinking of the RMS Lusitania that many believe led to the eventual decision of the United States to join World War I in 1917.

I just hope I don’t hear anything about a U.N. resolution condemning the pirates. That’ll be a sure sign we’re going down the wrong path.

Update: Pentagon says crew retake US ship from pirates