It must be somewhere in the pirate code of ethics: We (the pirates) can take someone else’s property, kidnap innocent crew members and threaten to kill them, but if someone takes action against us, they are the ones who deserve to be retaliated against.

The scenario playing out along the Somali coast in Africa is not a “Pirates of the Caribbean” board game. The lawless pirates who have hijacked dozens of ships, kidnapped hundreds of crew members and stolen millions of dollars of goods are not some kind of modern day Robin Hoods.

Unfortunately, the pirates have been able to ply their nefarious trade with little interference from an ineffective Somali government and little resistance from crew members, who aren’t prepared to defend themselves against armed takeovers. In fact, the pirates have become heroes in Somalia, where they support the nation’s economy with their ill-gotten gains.

Last week, when the pirates tried to hijack a U.S.-flagged cargo ship, kidnapped its captain and demanded a $2 million ransom, American leaders decided they didn’t want to play along. The crew of the Maersk Alabama managed to maintain control of the ship, but the pirates took Capt. Richard Phillips and held him hostage on a lifeboat from the ship.

U.S. military forces stepped in and tried to negotiate Phillips’ release for several days. A particular sticking point seemed to be the reasonable U.S. demand for a promise that the pirates would be brought to justice when they returned to Somalia. The situation became more tense even after one pirate surrendered. When the remaining pirates were seen pointing AK-47s at Phillips, U.S. snipers on a nearby warship were given the order to fire. The three pirates were killed and Phillips was freed.

Immediately, pirates in Somalia declared that U.S. forces had “become our No. 1 enemy” and promised retaliation against the United States and any other country that didn’t accede to their demands.

That’s not a surprising reaction, but it can’t be a reason for the United States or any country to cower before this group of lawbreakers. The Somali pirates have been operating with relative impunity for far too long. It’s unfortunate that three men died in this situation, but someone had to stand up to these lawless attacks.

The United States has taken the first step and should now work with the international community to put a halt to the pirate terrorism. Even with outside assistance, it is unlikely the weak Somali government can handle this situation on its own. Whether this incident discourages or inflames further pirate attacks, the United States was right to stand up for the American captain and not knuckle under to the pirates’ demands.