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The Mediterranean - Neo-Barbary Crisis: 5 Years After the Picchiotti Incident
Published: July 19th, 2026
Author: Alan Herver
Vanishing of the Picchiotti
On June 13th, 2026, the Picchiotti, the family yacht that disappeared from the coast of Southern Italy five years prior, was rediscovered by Greek Coast Guards drifting over the Aegean Sea. The revelation ignited the public once again, with the Italian Ministry of the Interior facing even more scrutiny for their indecisive history on the matter. In response, the authorities resumed the investigation after its retrieval to prevent further outcry, pooling more resources into the operation, and even collaborating with their Greek neighbors to put the pieces together.

Upon its discovery, they confidently concluded that it was hijacked; stripped of its mechanical parts and luxurious goods. And while the fate of the family and its crew remained unclear, trails of blood dried leading to the edge of the outer deck. Sharing similar details with recent events occurring throughout the Mediterranean Sea, they determined that the disappearance of the Picchiotti preceded the previous tragedy over Papanikolis, making it the first case to have occurred over the past five years.

2021 marked the year where the Mediterranean Sea is plunged into a chaotic mess. Being deprived of basic needs and driven by desperate necessities and cynical opportunism, the disappearance of the Picchiotti has ignited a series of illicit piracy throughout the entire sea. As keen observers of this geopolitical phenomenon grow in numbers, the series of kidnappings and illegal fishing will eventually lead them to coin the event with a term familiar to the Mediterranean history, one that once wreaks havoc across the entire shores of Southern Europe: the Neo-Barbary Crisis.
Knowing the Corsairs
The emergence of the corsairs poses the Mediterranean Sea with one of the gravest crisis since the spillover of the Syrian Civil War. It exacerbates the already crippling Refugee Crisis and other humanitarian concerns occurring throughout Libya to a nightmarish calamity, to the point that they transformed it into a moral quagmire. However, the most worrying prospect is their extensive reach across most of Europe’s southern hemisphere and their ability to project their activities and influence spanning from coastal villages to cities such as Messina and Salerno.

Many ascertained that the fall of Haftar’s short-lived regime and the power struggle that followed led to the rise of the crisis. However, this observation is faulty due to the preceding events such as the massive flow of refugees and his neglect of proper nation-building, which contributes to the further development of the crisis we all know today. The lack of response against the following issues and the decrepit state of its economy leaves the Libyan with little to no choice but to take desperate measures, even if that means squandering over international seas.

The incident over the Picchiotti led to similar occurrences to spiral throughout the Mediterranean in massive numbers. And according to Jabarti’s Initiative for Democracy, 273 cases of corsair-related incidents occurred throughout the Italian shores in 2021; half of it occurred along the southern shores of Sicily. And this is a conservative conclusion as no one can't pinpoint the most accurate extent of its scale. The crisis has reached its peak in 2023, with various sources made estimates ranging from 3000 to 7500. Their reach quickly expanded across a gargantuan swath of the sea, stretching from the coastlines of Catalonia to the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Its impact on neighboring economies is evident both on a local and regional level. The rising presence of Libyan fishing flotillas has driven many local fisheries into bankruptcy, especially around Italy and Greece. Mazara del Varro - a vital fishing town situated in the southwestern region of Sicily, received 25% of its usual harvest due to their threatening encounters with their Libyan counterparts and the damages they've afflicted on the maritime ecology. The crisis has also affected the maritime routes once enjoyed by many, with major shipping companies either circumventing over Africa or investing more of their capital on security measures such as hiring mercenaries or expanding their security forces.

And despite Europe’s developed naval arsenal and its proven capability to drastically curb the wave into a halt - evidence by their successful participation in Operation Ocean Shield, the corsairs have proven themselves to be a significant challenge for their maritime security. U.S Secretary of Defense, Albert Wiesner, attributed their failure to two major factors: the surprisingly complex and intricate organization practiced by the corsairs and the frequent wave of refugees clouding their route and activities. European Union’s Operation Maria faced a quagmire where identifying between a refugee and a corsair has become a difficult endeavor. The Initiative for Democracy has reported over more than 73 cases of misidentification in 2025, some of them have resulted in deaths numbering hundreds.
Trades of the Neo-Barbary Seas
To understand the scale and complexity of the crisis, we need to recollect the reports made by the U.N’s International Maritime Organization. According to the Global Review of Maritime Security 2023 papers, over 2983 cases related to piracy were reported throughout the Mediterranean, both based on confirmed cases and eyewitness accounts. It also extrapolates descriptive detail on the variety of activities the corsairs are practicing, ranging from simple smuggling to even money laundering on European shores. However, their trade generally falls under three categories: hijacking, organized kidnapping, and illegal fishing. All three are synonymous with the Neo-Barbary Crisis and present itself as a significant challenge for maritime security.

Despite the monotony of the subject, illegal fishing is a grievous concern for the Mediterranean Sea. While Libya has a history of neglecting its fishing industry ever since the 2011 Revolution, some people do rely on the trade to make a living and even for sustenance as years went on. However, with the collapse of any functional government and the deterioration of the maritime ecology throughout the Gulf of Sirte, many begin to set their sights beyond for fishing gains, even if that means squandering over the exclusive zones of other countries. According to European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries - Franz Fischler, regions such as Sicily has lost EUR 97 Million to Libyan fishing fleets, roughly one-third of the revenue. He also revealed that their callous harvest has inadvertently harmed the ecosystem of the Mediterranean, with locals from Mazara del Varro reported floating refuse of corals being washed towards their shores.

Organized kidnappings have also become a common occurrence throughout the crisis and have become an epidemic that still baffles coast guard agencies throughout Europe. The first case was reported in Greece when a group of corsairs kidnapped a British couple for ransom, demanding over USD 2 Billion in exchange for their release. This incident eventually snowballed across Southern Europe as years went on, especially after the formation of the Free State of Sabha. This form of illicit piracy is prevalent throughout the coast, stretching from Barcelona to the surrounding islands of the Aegean Sea. To understand how volatile the situation is, the Italian Gendarmerie - also known as the Carabinieri, released a report stating over 831 cases are present throughout the country during 2023, during which the crisis was at its peak, and 523 of it occurred in Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria. However, some locals, even higher officials and minor echelons of the military, collaborates with the corsairs over these efforts. One of the most infamous examples occurred in Calabria, where the entire crewmen of an Italian corvette - the Caprera, was court-martialed for collaboration with the corsairs.

However, one that received the most attention is the prominent phenomenon of ship-hijackings. It has become a subject of both fear mongering and even fascination, with incidents over the MSC Walker and F.S. Treville captured many headlines. This endeavor has caused many shipping companies to circumvent their route through Africa, reducing the traffic over the Mediterranean by 25-35%. Many assert that these endeavors are complex and resource-intensive, so it is to no surprise that some, including Wiesner, are wary of the capabilities of these particular group of corsairs. However, despite their ruthless efficiency and complexity, hijackings are uncommon, if not rare. Compared to 600 cases that occurred over the Indian Ocean in 2011, the Mediterranean only 53 cases ever since the crisis emerged. The endeavor is also tiresome for the corsair themselves, which discourages them from it as years went on.
What’s Next to Come?
The corsairs have terrorized the coastal shores for years. Not only have they impacted the economic stability of the Mediterranean Sea, but they also cemented a terrifying mythos all over Southern Europe’s cultural and political scene. Horatio claimed that many far-right movements took advantage of this crisis and used the indecisiveness of the establishment as a rallying call for their cause. It has also affected the psyche of many communities as well: A study by Porto Research & Analytics suggests a low level of trust within the islands of the Aegean Sea compared to folks from the mainland, stating that 53% of them are suspicious of strangers and even local officials due to the occurrence of corsairs scheming with local constituents.

However, it’s unwise to overstate the crisis as a hopeless and unsolvable menace. Despite the early blunders made during Operation Maria, the joint naval mission organized by the EU is beginning to show results in 2024, a year after the crisis was at its peak. Europe has faced fewer cases of illicit piracy in 2025: Compared to the gargantuan cases in 2023, which ranges from 3000 to 7500, the numbers have dramatically reduced to a meager 650 or less. U.S. Secretary of State - Mark Schumer, calls for the formation of a multinational coalition against the corsairs, although this was met with mixed reactions from both ends. Erdogan has also shown similar interest in forming a multilateral mission to eliminate piracy, albeit more Eastern-centric compared to the international call made by the former.

The Neo-Barbary Crisis seems to be at its end and the corsairs are showing signs of weaknesses, but it’s best to remain vigilant when they have proven themselves to be more cunning than believed. They still received the generous patronage of both the Free State of Sabha and the Islamic State of Libya, with the former providing them with ships and equipment that they couldn’t muster. Illegal fishing fleets is still a prevalent issue faced by Southern Europe, and refugee trafficking has yet to be solved to this day. To add more concerning detail, the possibility of the corsairs becoming more entrenched within the local bureaucracy are evident, especially when it comes to cases that were reported in Southern Italy, where the rise of corruption correlates with the crisis.

The world has yet to address the issue in a proper manner. The lack of a united strategic goal and the unwillingness for neither parties to step aside from their geopolitical ambitions to safeguard the sea has nevertheless allowed the corsairs to sail. It’ll be a matter of time when they begin to realize their follies for realpolitiking and the necessity to cooperate for a better and safer Mediterranean.

Description
The Mediterranean - Neo-Barbary Crisis: 5 Years After the Picchiotti Incident
Published: July 19th, 2026
Author: Alan Herver
Vanishing of the Picchiotti
On June 13th, 2026, the Picchiotti, the family yacht that disappeared from the coast of Southern Italy five years prior, was rediscovered by Greek Coast Guards drifting over the Aegean Sea. The revelation ignited the public once again, with the Italian Ministry of the Interior facing even more scrutiny for their indecisive history on the matter. In response, the authorities resumed the investigation after its retrieval to prevent further outcry, pooling more resources into the operation, and even collaborating with their Greek neighbors to put the pieces together.

Upon its discovery, they confidently concluded that it was hijacked; stripped of its mechanical parts and luxurious goods. And while the fate of the family and its crew remained unclear, trails of blood dried leading to the edge of the outer deck. Sharing similar details with recent events occurring throughout the Mediterranean Sea, they determined that the disappearance of the Picchiotti preceded the previous tragedy over Papanikolis, making it the first case to have occurred over the past five years.

2021 marked the year where the Mediterranean Sea is plunged into a chaotic mess. Being deprived of basic needs and driven by desperate necessities and cynical opportunism, the disappearance of the Picchiotti has ignited a series of illicit piracy throughout the entire sea. As keen observers of this geopolitical phenomenon grow in numbers, the series of kidnappings and illegal fishing will eventually lead them to coin the event with a term familiar to the Mediterranean history, one that once wreaks havoc across the entire shores of Southern Europe: the Neo-Barbary Crisis.
Knowing the Corsairs
The emergence of the corsairs poses the Mediterranean Sea with one of the gravest crisis since the spillover of the Syrian Civil War. It exacerbates the already crippling Refugee Crisis and other humanitarian concerns occurring throughout Libya to a nightmarish calamity, to the point that they transformed it into a moral quagmire. However, the most worrying prospect is their extensive reach across most of Europe’s southern hemisphere and their ability to project their activities and influence spanning from coastal villages to cities such as Messina and Salerno.

Many ascertained that the fall of Haftar’s short-lived regime and the power struggle that followed led to the rise of the crisis. However, this observation is faulty due to the preceding events such as the massive flow of refugees and his neglect of proper nation-building, which contributes to the further development of the crisis we all know today. The lack of response against the following issues and the decrepit state of its economy leaves the Libyan with little to no choice but to take desperate measures, even if that means squandering over international seas.

The incident over the Picchiotti led to similar occurrences to spiral throughout the Mediterranean in massive numbers. And according to Jabarti’s Initiative for Democracy, 273 cases of corsair-related incidents occurred throughout the Italian shores in 2021; half of it occurred along the southern shores of Sicily. And this is a conservative conclusion as no one can't pinpoint the most accurate extent of its scale. The crisis has reached its peak in 2023, with various sources made estimates ranging from 3000 to 7500. Their reach quickly expanded across a gargantuan swath of the sea, stretching from the coastlines of Catalonia to the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Its impact on neighboring economies is evident both on a local and regional level. The rising presence of Libyan fishing flotillas has driven many local fisheries into bankruptcy, especially around Italy and Greece. Mazara del Varro - a vital fishing town situated in the southwestern region of Sicily, received 25% of its usual harvest due to their threatening encounters with their Libyan counterparts and the damages they've afflicted on the maritime ecology. The crisis has also affected the maritime routes once enjoyed by many, with major shipping companies either circumventing over Africa or investing more of their capital on security measures such as hiring mercenaries or expanding their security forces.

And despite Europe’s developed naval arsenal and its proven capability to drastically curb the wave into a halt - evidence by their successful participation in Operation Ocean Shield, the corsairs have proven themselves to be a significant challenge for their maritime security. U.S Secretary of Defense, Albert Wiesner, attributed their failure to two major factors: the surprisingly complex and intricate organization practiced by the corsairs and the frequent wave of refugees clouding their route and activities. European Union’s Operation Maria faced a quagmire where identifying between a refugee and a corsair has become a difficult endeavor. The Initiative for Democracy has reported over more than 73 cases of misidentification in 2025, some of them have resulted in deaths numbering hundreds.
Trades of the Neo-Barbary Seas
To understand the scale and complexity of the crisis, we need to recollect the reports made by the U.N’s International Maritime Organization. According to the Global Review of Maritime Security 2023 papers, over 2983 cases related to piracy were reported throughout the Mediterranean, both based on confirmed cases and eyewitness accounts. It also extrapolates descriptive detail on the variety of activities the corsairs are practicing, ranging from simple smuggling to even money laundering on European shores. However, their trade generally falls under three categories: hijacking, organized kidnapping, and illegal fishing. All three are synonymous with the Neo-Barbary Crisis and present itself as a significant challenge for maritime security.

Despite the monotony of the subject, illegal fishing is a grievous concern for the Mediterranean Sea. While Libya has a history of neglecting its fishing industry ever since the 2011 Revolution, some people do rely on the trade to make a living and even for sustenance as years went on. However, with the collapse of any functional government and the deterioration of the maritime ecology throughout the Gulf of Sirte, many begin to set their sights beyond for fishing gains, even if that means squandering over the exclusive zones of other countries. According to European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries - Franz Fischler, regions such as Sicily has lost EUR 97 Million to Libyan fishing fleets, roughly one-third of the revenue. He also revealed that their callous harvest has inadvertently harmed the ecosystem of the Mediterranean, with locals from Mazara del Varro reported floating refuse of corals being washed towards their shores.

Organized kidnappings have also become a common occurrence throughout the crisis and have become an epidemic that still baffles coast guard agencies throughout Europe. The first case was reported in Greece when a group of corsairs kidnapped a British couple for ransom, demanding over USD 2 Billion in exchange for their release. This incident eventually snowballed across Southern Europe as years went on, especially after the formation of the Free State of Sabha. This form of illicit piracy is prevalent throughout the coast, stretching from Barcelona to the surrounding islands of the Aegean Sea. To understand how volatile the situation is, the Italian Gendarmerie - also known as the Carabinieri, released a report stating over 831 cases are present throughout the country during 2023, during which the crisis was at its peak, and 523 of it occurred in Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria. However, some locals, even higher officials and minor echelons of the military, collaborates with the corsairs over these efforts. One of the most infamous examples occurred in Calabria, where the entire crewmen of an Italian corvette - the Caprera, was court-martialed for collaboration with the corsairs.

However, one that received the most attention is the prominent phenomenon of ship-hijackings. It has become a subject of both fear mongering and even fascination, with incidents over the MSC Walker and F.S. Treville captured many headlines. This endeavor has caused many shipping companies to circumvent their route through Africa, reducing the traffic over the Mediterranean by 25-35%. Many assert that these endeavors are complex and resource-intensive, so it is to no surprise that some, including Wiesner, are wary of the capabilities of these particular group of corsairs. However, despite their ruthless efficiency and complexity, hijackings are uncommon, if not rare. Compared to 600 cases that occurred over the Indian Ocean in 2011, the Mediterranean only 53 cases ever since the crisis emerged. The endeavor is also tiresome for the corsair themselves, which discourages them from it as years went on.
What’s Next to Come?
The corsairs have terrorized the coastal shores for years. Not only have they impacted the economic stability of the Mediterranean Sea, but they also cemented a terrifying mythos all over Southern Europe’s cultural and political scene. Horatio claimed that many far-right movements took advantage of this crisis and used the indecisiveness of the establishment as a rallying call for their cause. It has also affected the psyche of many communities as well: A study by Porto Research & Analytics suggests a low level of trust within the islands of the Aegean Sea compared to folks from the mainland, stating that 53% of them are suspicious of strangers and even local officials due to the occurrence of corsairs scheming with local constituents.

However, it’s unwise to overstate the crisis as a hopeless and unsolvable menace. Despite the early blunders made during Operation Maria, the joint naval mission organized by the EU is beginning to show results in 2024, a year after the crisis was at its peak. Europe has faced fewer cases of illicit piracy in 2025: Compared to the gargantuan cases in 2023, which ranges from 3000 to 7500, the numbers have dramatically reduced to a meager 650 or less. U.S. Secretary of State - Mark Schumer, calls for the formation of a multinational coalition against the corsairs, although this was met with mixed reactions from both ends. Erdogan has also shown similar interest in forming a multilateral mission to eliminate piracy, albeit more Eastern-centric compared to the international call made by the former.

The Neo-Barbary Crisis seems to be at its end and the corsairs are showing signs of weaknesses, but it’s best to remain vigilant when they have proven themselves to be more cunning than believed. They still received the generous patronage of both the Free State of Sabha and the Islamic State of Libya, with the former providing them with ships and equipment that they couldn’t muster. Illegal fishing fleets is still a prevalent issue faced by Southern Europe, and refugee trafficking has yet to be solved to this day. To add more concerning detail, the possibility of the corsairs becoming more entrenched within the local bureaucracy are evident, especially when it comes to cases that were reported in Southern Italy, where the rise of corruption correlates with the crisis.

The world has yet to address the issue in a proper manner. The lack of a united strategic goal and the unwillingness for neither parties to step aside from their geopolitical ambitions to safeguard the sea has nevertheless allowed the corsairs to sail. It’ll be a matter of time when they begin to realize their follies for realpolitiking and the necessity to cooperate for a better and safer Mediterranean.