I made a mistake earlier this week. I foolishly thought it was going to be a slow news week. Idiot. It wasn't. 
We begin with some curious news that Iran has somehow rescued four crew held by Somali pirates. There are virtually no details available as to how the Quds brigade of the IRGC pulled it off, but hopefully the full story will come out over time. 
Meanwhile, the international naval forces patrolling the Indian Ocean have warned shipping to be extremely vigilant as monsoon season approaches. There are concerns that shipping will let its guard down and that complacency is becoming common again. 
The situation in Yemen remains fluid, as Yemeni government and Saudi coalition forces approach the Houthi port stronghold of Hodeidah. This week saw shelling from warships in the region, heightening fears of an assault on the port, which remains one of the few where UN aid vessels can berth.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has called for an intelligence sharing project similar to Singapore's Information Fusion Centre to warn them about piracy or militant activity in the region. 
In the Mediterranean region, the United Nations has taken the exceptional step of sanctioning and naming people smugglers in Libya. The list includes some prominent militia leaders long believed involved in human trafficking.
We end with news that NIMASA has once again come under pressure to up its game in Nigeria's waters and improve security there. But who's actually in charge? NIMASA? The Navy? Who knows…

Regards,
David Rider                  
Editor