Nor should the Somali pirates be characterized as "terrorists." "Terrorists" generally have a political agenda. The Somali pirates so far have only demonstrated an economic interest in securing ransom for their prizes, and unlike some traditional pirates do not seem to indulge in gratuitous violence. They generally take reasonable care of their hostages (if they don't resist or try to escape) and return them unharmed when ransomed.

They are, however, "pirates."

Charley Noble