pirate solutions

The solution is obvious. Albeit not politically correct.

Dont copy the US FIRST barbary pirate war of 1805.

The first Barbary war had grossly ineffective "diplomacy" that meant nothing to the pirates, followed by slow, gradual, escalation of military force.

The USN kept building more and more ships, all being sent to north Africa, losing one of its largest warships (a sister of the USS Constitution) as well as merchant ships to the pirates, the mess dragged on for years as pirates built forts at their bases and bought bigger guns before finally being worn down by a country that originated the saying for that war: "millions for defense, not one cent for tribute"..

That seems to be what the world is set on doing now.

Copy the second Barbary war of 1815 instead.

After winning the first Barbary war, the US navy was elsewhere from 1812 to 1815 because of an altercation with the Brits -- the 1812 war that included sacking of Washington and torching of the White House. This took priority, the resultant absence of the USN near North Africa allowed the pirates to resume their activities.

After peace with England in 1815, the bulk of the Navy, complete with Marines, was sent to Africa.

The Navy wasted no time.

On arrival they landed the marines, at night, at a leading pirate base.

The local pirate ruler awoke to find that his forts had fallen. All ships and boats in his harbor had been captured. The Navy's frigates were lined up along the waterfront, guns run out, ready to blow his palace off the map; with Marines confiscating or torching the entire contents of the storehouses where loot was stored. (If commingled - consider all stolen contraband)

The slaves and hostages (in those days hostages were sold as white slaves if ransom was slow) were promptly released, loot returned, and peace reigned.

Neighboring pirate bases sent their envoys to meet the fleet as it left harbor, and surrender their slaves and hostages early lest they meet the same fate.

The solution here is to

TAKE THE GLOVES OFF, LET THE MILITARY DO THEIR JOB, WITH AMPLE SHIPS AND MARINES TO DO IT QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY, INCLUDING LAND ASSAULTS WHERE APPROPRIATE.

Forget the meaningless but endless UN resolutions and slow amendments to rules of engagement.

As to penalty for captured pirates - while most nations have gone soft, with wrist-slapping of a few months in prison instead of the traditional penalty of hanging by the neck until dead and decomposed, Saudi Arabia still has appropriate penalties for pirates.

Send captured pirates to Saudi for amputation of head or hands.

AND make it a felony throughout the world to pay ransom to pirates or terrorists of any kind.