This Atimes article is a deeper analysis than we've been getting elsewhere. Ever since this issue came up in the media I have wondered if there was more to the story. - Emanuel
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JK22Df01.h...
A few key quotes:
"There is some talk that the pirates may provide cover for international terrorist groups. Experts on "terrorism" have already shifted gear and begun speculating about al-Qaeda copying the modus operandi of the Somali pirates. Are we inching toward including sea piracy in the "war on terror"?"
"The obvious thing to do is to act under a United Nations mandate, preferably involving the African Union and the littoral states, which may have capabilities or may be assisted to develop capabilities. But this hasn't happened, lending to strong suspicion that a Great Game is unfolding for control of the sea route in the Indian Ocean between the Strait of Malacca and the Persian Gulf. This sea route is undoubtedly one of the most sensitive waterways for commerce involving cargo such as oil, weapons and manufactured goods moving between Europe and Asia."