Just hours before the spectacular rescue of an American ship captain being held by the pirates, French commandos stormed a boat being held captive in those same waters. France has taken a leading role in international efforts to halt hijackings off the horn of Africa and has captured more than 60 pirates in the last year. And just this week, French warship patrolling waters off East Africa as part of an EU anti-piracy force captured 11 pirates near the Kenyan coast.

Report: Eleanor Beardsley