One of the more curious aspects of the coverage of “Europe’s migrant crisis” is the apparent assumption that Europe couldn’t possibly do anything to keep Asians and Africans from crossing the Mediterranean because that would require naval forces, and whoever heard of Europe having boats in the water?

But European navies not only exist, they are currently policing the Indian Ocean to keep down Somali pirates. The E.U. has Operation Atalanta, while European nations participate as well in the U.S. headed Combined Task Force 150. Here’s Wikipedia’s description of the E.U.’s operation

Operation Atalanta: Operation Atalanta, also known as European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU-NAVFOR-ATALANTA), is a current counter-piracy military operation at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Western Indian Ocean, that is the first undertaken by the European Union Naval Force. … The following vessels have, among others, been committed to the Operation as of 25 February 2015.[25][26] Belgium Karel Doorman-class frigate BNS Louise-Marie (F931), Belgium[27][28]

Belgium Karel Doorman-class frigate BMS Leopold I (F930), Belgium

Germany Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Brandenburg (F215), Germany[29]

Germany Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F218), Germany

Germany Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Schleswig-Holstein (F216), Germany[30]

Germany Brandenburg-class frigate FGS Bayern (F217), Germany

Germany Bremen-class frigate FGS Rheinland-Pfalz (F209), Germany[29]

Germany Bremen-class frigate FGS Köln (F211), Germany[31]

Germany Bremen-class frigate FGS Niedersachsen (F208), Germany[32]

Germany Bremen-class frigate FGS Lübeck (F214), Germany[33]

Germany Sachsen-class frigate FGS Hamburg (F220)[34][35]

Germany Rhön-class tanker FGS Rhön (A1443), Germany[36]

Germany Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Berlin (A1411), Germany