From Reuters:  The number and scope of pirate attacks is seen increasing worldwide and could trigger more joint military operations to keep shipping lanes safe, a top NATO official said.

Commodore Hans Christian Helseth said attacks around the Horn of Africa will become more frequent in the coming months due to less stormy weather and likely spread further east towards India and south towards Madagascar…

Aside from NATO, the European Union, India, China and the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), among others, are also conducting anti-piracy operations in this region.

Coordinating these efforts could lead to some unusual multinational reporting lines, he said.

"By the end of 2010 U.S. warships could be coordinated by a Chinese admiral," Helseth told the piracy seminar.  (graphic: Maritime Connector)

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