These extensive excerpts from the novel Djibouti follow documentarian Dara and her cameraman Xavier LeBo as they navigate the dangerous world of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Their journey involves interacting with various characters, including Harry Bakar of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Idris Mohammed (a pirate chief), and billionaire Billy Wynn and his companion Helene, who are sailing nearby. A major plotline concerns the hunt for two Al-Qaeda operatives, Jama Raisuli and Qasim al Salah, who were placed aboard an LNG tanker, the Aphrodite, and are eventually captured by Harry and Idris for a reward from the U.S. government. The narrative culminates in a desperate confrontation and the explosive destruction of the LNG tanker, intertwining themes of international security, personal relationships, and the making of a documentary. The text concludes with a brief section listing the author's other works and professional achievements.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.