U.S.: The Hostage Rescue

The hostage situation involving American Captain Richard Phillips was resolved April 12 by U.S. Navy SEALs, resulting in the deaths of three of the four pirates involved. The operation was the climax of a five-day standoff that saw the pirates' position become steadily weaker. The United States used a strategy to slowly wear down the captors and maneuver into a position that would resolve the situation.