Going on a cruise around Africa? Maybe just check you are not going too close to Somalia. The Somali coast is considered to be the world's most dangerous waters. The International Maritime Bureau has recorded 41 attacks since mid-March last year. Luxury cruise liners and ships carrying food aid are among those targeted off Somalia in the past year. Hijackings and piracy off have increased in the past year as armed groups take advantage of a lack of law and order in Somalia, which has been without an effective central government since 1991. US Navy vessels have been granted permission to patrol Somali waters to fight piracy. Under the agreement, the US Navy would also develop Somalia's rudimentary coastguard service.

Whilst any help in this troubled region has to be good news for all concerned, the ever cynical Beetle wants to know why the US are doing this – out of the kindness of their heart, or does their presence fit with some other greater plan?