Cheer up. We're also protecting the world's shipping lanes.

From whom? Last I checked we had most of our fleet sitting outside countries with whom we have conflicts of interest and not countries known for harboring pirates taking over private vessels. When was the last time a US war ship captured a Somali pirate vessel?

The US Navy capture smaller vessels quite regularly. The larger pirate boats may have non-combatants and/or hostages aboard so the rules-of-engagement limit the Navy actions.

Yup. Winner takes all. Everybody else gets their noses rubbed in the dirt.