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Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
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Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Compiled By The National Defense University Library
Updated 30 April 2013

Somalia MapRecent high-profile events, like hostage rescue operations carried out by France and the attempted hijacking of the MAERSK Alabama and the dramatic rescue of her Captain by the U.S. Navy, have focused new attention on the scourge of piracy off the coast of Somalia.  Captain Phillips' rescue led to a pledge by pirates to increase piracy in the Gulf of Aden and specifically target U.S. ships.  Yet even before these recent events, piracy was on the rise.  According to the International Maritime Bureau, so far this year, at least 80 commercial cargo ships have been attacked in the 2.8 million square kilometer Gulf of Aden, with 19 successful hijackings.  In 2008, there were 111 ships attacked and 42 successful hijackings.

Pirate photo

In an April 12 statement welcoming the release of Captain Phillips, President Obama stated his resolve to halt the rise of piracy in the region.  Three days later, Secretary of State Clinton followed up on the President's remarks with an unequivocal statement that the U.S. will not make concessions or ransom payments to pirates.  She announced four immediate steps the U.S. Government is taking in an expanded counter-piracy program: work with international partners to crack down on pirate bases and decrease incentives to engage in piracy; develop an expanded multinational response; engage with the Somali government and regional leaders in Puntland to take action against pirates operating from bases within their territories; and work with shippers and the insurace industry to address gaps in self-defense measures. 

Following is a list of resources that outline the response of the U.S. Government and the international community to piracy off the coast of Somalia, the scope and consequences of the problem, and identify some strategic options that are available to combat this growing menace.

U.S. Response
Congressional Hearings
International Organizations
Scope and Consequences
Combating Piracy
Additional Reading
Background on Somalia
Piracy in Asia 

U.S. Response

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Congressional Hearings

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International Organizations

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Scope and Consequences

  • [current] Economic Impact of Piracy in the Gulf of Aden on Global Trade
    Fact Sheet from the U.S. Maritime Administration
  • [current] Somali Piracy: Global Overview
    BBC website providing insight into how Somali piracy has impacted life in Somalia's Puntland region and affected countries around the globe
  • [28 Jan 13] African Coastal Piracy in 2013 - The Beginning of the End or the End of the Beginning?
    Timothy Walker. Institute for Security Studies
  • [28 Feb 12] Piracy at Sea: Overview and Policy Responses
    Louise Butcher. House of Commons Library, United Kingdom
  • [Nov 11] Somali Pirates Widen Their Net
    Alexander Nicoll and Sarah Johnstone, eds. International Institute for Strategic Studies
  • [27 April 11] Piracy off the Horn of Africa
    Lauren Ploch, et al.  Congressional Research Service
  • [22 June 09] Counting the Costs of Somalia Piracy
    Raymond Gilpin.  United States Institute of Peace
    The upsurge in attacks by Somali pirates between 2005 and mid-2009 reflects decades of political unrest, maritime lawlessness and severe economic decline. Piracy has dire implications for economic development and political stability in Somalia, with economic prospects constrained, business confidence compromised and human security worsening. It could also have a destabilizing effect on global trade and security unless immediate steps are taken to craft a coordinated strategy to address the complex factors that trigger and sustain crime and impunity on the high seas. However, poorly designed and implemented strategies could inadvertently strengthen the hand of extremists in and around Somalia. The Somali authorities and their international partners should plan for a sustained application of “smart power” by all stakeholders. This paper offers practical strategies to mitigate the rising costs of Somali piracy and lay the foundation for lasting peace
  • [6 Feb 09] Ocean Piracy and Its Impact on Insurance
    Rawle O. King.  Congressional Research Service
  • [29 Jan 09] Somali Piracy and the International Response
    Rubrick Biegon.  Foreign Policy in Focus
    A quick summary of the context and impact of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, the international response, and the forecast for the future
  • [Oct 08] Piracy in Somalia: Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars
    Roger Middleton. Chatham House
    This report identifies consequences of the dramatic surge in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia: ransom payments encourage pirates to become more aggressive, fuel the war in Somalia, and increase the likelihood that pirates will become agents of international terrorist networks.  Piracy makes delivery of aid to drought-stricken Somalia more difficult and costly, making insurance premiums rise, and raising concerns that costs of manufactured goods and oil from Asia and the Middle East will spiral up.  The use of ever more powerful weaponry makes it increasingly likely that piracy will cause a major environmental disaster in the Gulf of Aden.  In the face of these threats, the international community can no longer ignore the problem
  • [June 08] The Maritime Dimension of International Security: Terrorism, Piracy, and Challenges for the United States
    Peter Chalk. RAND Corporation
    This report assesses the nature, scope, and dimensions of piracy and seaborne terrorism, the extent to which they are or are not interrelated, and their overall relevance to U.S. national and international security interests

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Combating Piracy

  • [Oct 12] Managing the Global Response to Maritime Piracy
    Atlantic Council of the United States - Atlantic Council Counter-Piracy Task Force (CPTF)
  • [Sep 12] Pirates and Privateers: Managing the Indian Ocean’s Private Security Boom
    James Brown. Lowy Institute for International Policy
  • [21 Aug 12] Turning the Tide on Piracy, Building Somalia's Future: Follow-Up Report on the EU's Operation Atalanta and Beyond
    European Union Committee, House of Lords, United Kingdom
  • [Aug 12] Calming Troubled Waters: Global and Regional Strategies for Countering Piracy
    Australian Strategic Policy Institute
    NOTE: Select the "Download PDF" link below the overview to access the full-text
  • [9 July 12] Rooting Out Somali Piracy Starts On-Shore
    Annette Leijenaar and Timothy Walker. Institute for Security Studies
  • [28 Feb 12] Preventing and Prosecuting Piracy at Sea: Legal Issues
    Arabella Thorp. House of Commons Library, United Kingdom
  • [28 Feb 12] Piracy at Sea: Overview and Policy Responses
    Louise Butcher. House of Commons Library, United Kingdom
  • [4 March 11] Taking the Fight to the Pirates: Applying Counterterrorist Methods to the Threat of Piracy
    James Jay Carafano and Jon Rodeback. Heritage Foundation
  • [10 Dec 10] Smarter Measures in Fight against Piracy
    Michael L. Baker. Council on Foreign Relations
    Citing the conviction of five Somali in Norfolk, VA on charges of piracy (piracy carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison in the U.S.), this article analyzes progress in establishing deterrents for piracy and assesses the prospects for the enhancement of American credibility abroad in the fight against piracy.
  • [30 Nov 10] Advancing U.S., Africa, and Global Interests: Security and Stability in the West African Maritime Domain
    John Raidt and Kristen E. Smith. Atlantic Council of the United States
    This report reviews America's strategic priorities in securing the West African maritime domain and outlines recommendations for tackling a series of critical challenges facing efforts to protect West Africa's waters.
  • [24 Sep 10] Maritime Security: Actions Needed to Assess and Update Plan and Enhance Collaboration Among Partners Involved in Countering Piracy Off the Horn of Africa
    Government Accountability Office
    The Government Accountability Office recommends that the National Security Council reassess and update its December, 2008 interagency Action Plan (Countering Piracy Off the Horn of Afirca: Partnership and Action Plan), evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. counterpiracy activities, and clarify agency roles and responsibilities.
  • [Autumn 10] Taming the Outlaw Sea
    James G. Stavridis and Richard E. LeBron. Naval War College Review
    After providing an historical review of piracy, this article examines some of the causes behind Somali piracy and identifies various tactics for ending the threat of piracy.
  • [Autumn 10] A Private Security Solution to Somali Piracy? The U.S. Call for Private Security Engagement and the Implications for Canada
    Christopher Spearin. Naval War College Review
    This article provides a glimpse into Canada's experience implementing a naval response to Somali piracy and examines the effectiveness of international flotillas engaged in confronting Somali pirates.  The article goes on to evaluate the role of private security contractors in defending ships against the threat of piracy.
  • [June 10] Building African Partnerships to Defeat Piracy
    Michael L. Baker. Council on Foreign Relations
    Making the case that the "international community needs a new, more strategic approach to countering piracy based on building partnerships and trust with Africans both at sea and onshore," this article reviews the recent history of maritime partnerships and regional agreements designed to combat piracy and argues that a long-term, multifaceted strategy is necessary to protect commercial and security interests in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
  • [May 10] The Long War Against Piracy: Historical Trends
    James A. Wombwell. Combat Studies Institute Press
    This study surveys the experience of the United States, Great Britain, and other seafaring nations in addressing the problem of piracy at sea, then derives insights from that experience that may be relevant to the suppression of the current surge of piratical activity
  • [Spring 10] Pieces of Eight: An Appraisal of U.S. Counterpiracy Options in the Horn of Africa
    Lesley Anne Warner. Naval War College Review
    This article outlines the causal logic that led to the spike in pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia in recent years. After an overview of the nature of maritime piracy in this region, it highlights the counterpiracy methods employed by the United States and assess their prospects for success or failure. It concludes by proposing a comprehensive and sustainable counterpiracy strategy that targets both the root causes of piracy and the symptoms that emerge from lawlessness on land
  • [Aug 09] Counter-Piracy Operations: The Legal Regime in a Nutshell
    Frederic Ischebeck-Baum.  NATO Defense College
    This paper seeks to create situational awareness of the legal concerns relevant to planning and conducting maritime security operations to combat piracy.  It explains the key aspects of the law of the sea, presents regulations on maritime security and the use of force, offers a legal checklist, and concludes with a discussion of several maritime security operation scenarios
  • [Autumn 09] Fresh Thinking for an Old Problem: Report of the Naval War College Workshop on Countering Maritime Piracy
    Cdr James Kraska, JAGC, USN.  Naval War College Review
    This report identifies for major findings from a symposium on countering maritime piracy: 1) piracy in the Horn of Africa has emerged from a complex political, economic, and cultural milieu, and no single response will solve the problem; 2)regional capacity building and collective maritime action will be required to contend with the challenge of piracy so long as pirates enjoy sustained sanctuary in Somalia; 3) only major maritime powers have the skill and resources to help the regional states expand coastal and littoral maritime-security capability rapidly; and 4) the civil shipping industry should take a greater role in protecting merchant vessesl, including integrating passive design measures that make in more difficult for pirates to board a ship
  • [24 June 09] Maritime Security: Fighting Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Beyond
    James Jay Carafano, Richard Weitz, and Martin Edwin Andersen.  Heritage Foundation
    This report, prepared by the Heritage Foundation's Maritime Security Working Group, describes the threat of piracy to global commerce and the safety and security of ships transiting the Gulf of Aden, addresses domestic and international legal aspects of responding to piracy and other criminal acts at sea, proposes the appropriate mix of private-sector and U.S. military responses to piracy, including long-term investments in constabulary maritime assets, recommends solutions for improving the capacity of regional powers to protect freedom of the seas, and outlines a strategy for dealing with the root of the problem: lack of governance in Somalia.  While the report focuses on the Gulf of Aden, its proposals have implications for combating piracy worldwide
  • [June 09] Making Waves: Piracy Floods the Horn of Africa
    Matthew Hulbert.  Center for Security Studies
    This brief examines the issue of Piracy off the Horn of Africa, identifying both causes and consequences of the spike in pirate attacks.  In order to stem the impact on regional security and trade, the international community needs a more nuanced approach to tackling both the causes and effects of piracy by addressing economic dislocation and state fragility on the one hand and international maritime cooperation on the other
  • [Summer 09] Eliminating High Seas Piracy: Legal and Policy Considerations
    James P. Terry. Joint Force Quarterly
    The increase in acts of piracy emanating from Somali territory over the past year is a reflection of the near state of anarchy plaguing that nation. Nevertheless, nearly all UN member states, in passing Security Council Resolution 1851, underscored that actions to combat this dangerous phenomenon must conform to international law standards, including the Law of the Sea Convention.  This article reviews the legal authority behind international efforts to stem the tide of piracy off the coast of Somalia 
  • [22 April 09] Pirates and How to Deal with Them
    Roger Middleton.  Chatham House
    This paper reports on the proceedings of a roundtable of experts brought together in February 2009 to clarify some of the legal concerns around combating piracy off the Somali coast, focusing on the international legal framework on piracy and legal issues surrounding the arrest and prosecution of pirates
  • [16 April 09] Somali Piracy: Not Just a Naval Problem
    Martin Murphy.  Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
    A naval response to Somali piracy is an incomplete response to Somali piracy given the myriad political and land-based problems that fuel the rise of piracy.  This report examines piracy in the context of Somali politics and militant islamism, discusses implications for U.S. policy, and recommends a course of action to combat piracy
  • [15 April 09] Options for Combating Piracy in Somalia
    Jena Baker McNeill and Brett D. Schaefer.  Heritage Foundation
    Piracy is a growing problem that benefits from the instability in Somalia.  In the near term, effectively safeguarding maritime traffic requires a balanced public/private effort with the use of force limited to protecting commerce and maintaining freedom of the seas.  Also required is an effective strategy to resolve Somalia's troubles and establish and bolster the rule of law
  • [13 April 09] Combating Maritime Piracy
    Stephanie Hanson.  Council on Foreign Relations
    Includes analysis of the nature and severity of the threat, whether piracy is terrorism, mechanisms for combating piracy, and legal complications to combating piracy
  • [March 09] Countering Piracy in the Modern Era
    Peter Chalk, Laurence Smallman, and Nicholas Burger.  RAND Corporation
    In March 2009, the RAND Corporation convened a small group of experts from the U.S. government, allied partner nations, the maritime industry, and academic organizations to reconsider the underlying factors that drive maritime piracy in the 21st century. This conference proceedings highlights the six major themes that animated much of the discussion: (1) the relevance of the current legal framework for countering piracy, (2) the economic burden imposed by piracy, (3) the opportunities for international collaboration that have been afforded by the joint maritime patrols off the Horn of Africa, (4) the question of using private security contractors to protect shipping transiting dangerous waters, (5) the extent to which industry talks with a “single voice” in terms of addressing maritime security, and (6) means of confronting the unique nature of piracy off the Horn of Africa. Perhaps the most important conclusion that can be drawn from the workshop is that mitigating the complex nature of maritime crime requires the input of all relevant stakeholders — state, national, private, and nongovernmental — and must necessarily embrace measures that go well beyond the simple and expedient reactive deployment of naval assets
  • [March 09] For a Greater Horn of Africa Sea Patrol: A Strategic Analysis of the Somali Pirate Challenge
    Lars Bangert Struwe.  Danish Institute for Military Studies
    Pirates are criminals who should be pursued by the local policy authority.  As such an authority does not exist in Somalia, and as it appears there are no states prepared to intervene to stop the 20-year-old civil war, only the symptoms of piracy have hitherto been treated by combating it at sea.  Some progress has been made, but it is necessary to take steps towards a far more permanent, regionally-based solution.  The solution suggested in this report is to establish a regionally-based maritime unit: a Greater Horn of Africa Sea Patrol, to carry out surveillance in the area to security free navigation and take on tasks such as fishery inspection and environmental monitoring.  A Greater Horn of Africa Sea Patrol would comprise elements from the coastal states - from Egypt in the north to Tanzania in the south.  The unit would be established with the support of the states that already have a naval presence in the area
  • [March 09] What Can Be Done to Counter Somali Piracy?
    Liam Bellamy. Research Institute for European and American Studies
    This article examines tactical options that can be employed by ships to prevent pirate attacks
  • [Feb 09] Piracy, Maritime Terrorism and Naval Strategy
    Bjørn Møller. Danish Institute for International Studies
    This report analyses piracy and maritime terrorism, identifies areas of overlap, and proposes naval strategies that can be employed to combat them
  • [Feb 09] Fighting Piracy: International Coordination is Key to Countering Modern-Day Freebooters
    CMDR James Kraska and CAPT Brian Wilson. Armed Forces Journal
    A combination of coalition naval power and statecraft is creating new international authorities to address piracy, but concrete steps must be taken to implement and sustain the new initiatives
  • [09] Piracy-The East Africa/Somalia Situation: Practical Measures to Avoid, Deter or Delay Piracy Attacks
    This booklet, produced by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO), the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) with the aim of providing practical information to assist seafarers faced with potential or actual acts of piracy while operating in the Gulf of Aden and other waters near the Horn of Africa
  • [Nov 07] Maritime Security on the Horn of Africa: Threading the Needle at a Seam of Responsibility
    Brian J. Finman.  Naval War College
    The Horn of Africa is among the most dangerous areas of the world for maritime activity. Given the scarcity of regional capabilities to police these waters, Coalition naval forces maintain a maritime security presence in the region. These forces have had some notable successes, but face a complex challenge in suppressing piracy and human smuggling. At the heart of this maritime problem is the vast and ungoverned land area of Somalia, in which chaos creates too many incentives and not enough deterrence for maritime criminal activity. The recent creation of a United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) places the landmass of Africa (except Egypt) inside the AFRICOM AOR. As a result, the dynamic waters surrounding the Horn of Africa will soon lay on a seam between the USCENTCOM AOR and USAFRICOM AOR, creating new challenges and opportunities for conducting maritime security operations in the region. This paper will first discuss the operational factors that affect maritime security efforts to date. It will then examine command and control implications brought about by the creation of USAFRICOM and the combatant commanders shifting seams of responsibility. Finally, it will make recommendations on how to work effectively across this dynamic seam of responsibility to the benefit of both USAFRICOM and USCENTCOM
  • [Oct 06] The Implications of Maritime Piracy in the Failed State of Somalia
    Kjell A. Wander.  Naval War College
    This paper defines the operational challenges of combating piracy in Somalia and offers a possible solution to incorporate other instruments of national and international power. This is a thought piece derived from unclassified sources and includes opinions. It seeks to establish the threat and effects of piracy in Somalia, analyzes the challenges of combating the threat and suggests a CENTCOM-led interagency anti-piracy task force in Djibouti

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Additional Reading

    • [20 Dec 12] Pirates of the Guinean: How West Africa is Replacing Somalia as the New Pirate Lair
      Thierry Vircoulon. Foreign Policy
    • [15 Nov 12] Economic Security at Risk as Pirates Adapt Tactics in the Gulf of Guinea
      William van der Veen. Jamestown Foundation
    • [28 Feb 12] Does Somali Piracy Have Any 'Developmental Effects'?
      Jon Lunn. House of Commons Library, United Kingdom
    • [22 Feb 12] Kenya and the Pest of Piracy: A Prospective Partner for Peace
      Lisa Otto. Institute for Security Studies
    • [Jan 12] Treasure Mapped: Using Satellite Imagery to Track the Developmental Effects of Somali Piracy
      Anja Shortland. Chatham House
    • [July 11] Somali Pirates Have Rights Too: Judicial Consequences and Human Rights Concerns
      Deborah Osiro. Institute for Security Studies
    • [May 11] Counter-Piracy in the Arabian Sea: Challenges and Opportunities for GCC Action
      By Rick “Ozzie” Nelson and Scott Goossens. Center for Strategic and International Studies
    • [13 Dec 10] Piracy: A Legal Definition
      R. Chuck Mason. Congressional Research Service
      This report provides key background information on the U.S. legal framework on piracy, as well as major international agreements and international proceedings relevant to the legal handling of piracy cases.
    • [July 10] The Business of Piracy in Somalia
      Sarah Percy and Anja Shortland. German Institute for Economic Research
      Following an analysis of the underlying factors driving piracy off the coast of Somalia, as well as the drivers influencing domestic conditions and rebuilding efforts in Somalia, the authors conclude that Somali piracy is likely to increase in Somalia's domestic stability is improved.
    • [Summer 10] Naval Vessel Traffic Services: Enhancing the Safety of Merchant Shipping in Maritime Security Operations
      Lt. Dr. Ir. F.J. Sluiman and Cdr. Ph. H. deKoning.  Naval War College Review
      The authors illustrate how Naval Vessel Traffic Services would enhance the safety of merchant shipping and contribute to a more efficient use of military assets
    • [Spring 10] Security Threats and Challenges to Maritime Supply Chains
      Vijay Sakhuja. United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
      Chapter 1 of Disarmament Forum's "Maritime Security" issue examines the threat of piracy and terrorism to maritime supply chains, highlighting the threats and challenges posed by non-state actors.  It elaborates on the regional and international cooperative initiatives targeting the problem of piracy and terrorism, and argues for a UN-mandates force for anti-piracy and counter-terrorism.
    • [Spring 10] Sea Piracy: Some Inconvenient Truths
      Sam Bateman. United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
      Chapter 2 of Disarmament Forum's "Maritime Security" issue examines the responsibility of flag states and ship-owners in preventing piracy, and the strategic benefits and economic losses caused by piracy.
    • [Spring 10] Anti-Piracy, Adrift
      J. Peter Pham.  Journal of International Security Affairs
      Recent statistics indicate that piracy is a growth industry.  The apparent failure of the international response to this burgeoning challenge to global commerce and security underscores the liits of international law and legal institutions to cope with this problem, and with other transnational threats as well
    • [Jan 10] Piracy and Maritime Crime: Historical and Modern Case Studies
      Bruce A. Elleman, Andrew Forbes, and David Rosenberg.  Naval War College Newport Papers
      Recent naval operations by the world's major navies show a clear revival of interest in piracy and piracy suppression.  This collection of essays demonstrates that historical insights from a selection of piracy case studies over the past two centures have potential relevance to current and future thinking about antipiracy operations.  It includues sections on piracy in East Asia and the South China Sea, Piracy in South and Southeast Asia, and Piracy in Africa
    • [14 Oct 09] Pirates, Ports and Partners: Maritime Security in the 21st Century
      The Atlantic Council and the U.S. Naval War College jointly sponsored a conference on the challenges and opportunities for maritime security cooperation to examine the drivers of maritime operations, assess ongoing coalition maritime operations, share lessons learned from maritime security actors and identify challenges to and opportunities for cooperation that include policy, technical, cultural and legal aspects, with a special emphasis on information sharing in operations and maritime domain awareness
    • [Sep 09] African Security Review: African Maritime Security
      Features in this issue of the journal include: "Maritime Piracy in Africa: The Humanitarian Dimension," "Bad Order at Sea: From the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Guinea," "Sea Piracy and Maritime Security in the Horn of Africa: The Somali Coast and Gulf of Aden in Perspective," "Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation in Africa: The Planned End State," and "Maritime Security and International Law in Africa"
    • [8 July 09] East African Piracy
      Joseph R. Clark.  Homeland Security Policy Institute
      East African Piracy, thrust into American political discourse by the dramatic rescue of merchant Captain Richard Phillips, represents a small but growing challenge to the United States and larger international community. The recent introduction of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives suggests that despite the absence of continued media attention, the issue has not disappeared. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how political, commercial, and military actors within the United States ought to react. Any policy response should be crafted, considered, and implemented with a sober understanding of Somali based piracy. To achieve such, three things are required. First, a clear definition and accurate measure of the problem. Second, an appreciation of the operational environment on the Horn of Africa and at sea. And third, an accounting of the role played by the international community and regional actors
    • [Summer 09] Fish, Family, and Profit: Piracy and the Horn of Africa
      Gary E. Weir.  Naval War College Review
      This article provides a historical background to piracy in Somalia, identifying the major causes behind the growth of piracy in the region, and advocates a long-term solution that must go behond traditional coalitions, formal alliances, the power of regional neighbors, and the destruction of individual targets
    • [May 09] Beyond Piracy: Next Steps to Stabilize Somalia
      Ken Menkhaus, John Prendergast and Colin Thomas-Jensen. Enough: The Project to End Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity, Center for American Progress
      While short-term measures to curb pirate attacks are certainly necessary, the Obama administration must not allow the politics of the piracy problem to distract it from putting in place a long-term strategy to help Somalis forge a state that, with measured external support, can fight piracy, promote peace and reconciliation, and combat the threat of terrorism within its borders. After identifying the major security threats in Somalia, the report provides four priorities and policy recommendations for the United States
    • [17 April 09] Piracy: A Symptom of Somalia's Deeper Problems
      Brett D. Schaefer.  Heritage Foundation
      The recent news coverage of pirates has focused U.S. public attention on Somalia more than at any time since the confrontation between U.S. forces and Somali fighters detailed in the movie Black Hawk Down. Numerous suggestions have been made on how to deal with high seas piracy, but failing to adopt a strategy that resolves Somalia’s ongoing instability will undermine any such efforts — piracy in the region benefits from Somali lawlessness and volatility.  A long-term solution to piracy hinges on improving stability and bolstering Somali authorities with which the U.S. can work to advance mutual interests, including clamping down on piracy
    • [Jan 09] Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
      Bjørn Møller. Danish Institute for International Studies
      The explosive growth of piracy off the coast of Somalia in 2008 illustrates how an internal problem has external repercussions, and also offers a case study of how the various regional and international state and non-state actors interact
    • [Feb 09] The Somali Conflict: The Role of External Actors
      Bjørn Møller. Danish Institute for International Studies
      Somalia has been without a functioning state since 1991, when former dictator Siyad Barre was overthrown.  This report discusses failed international interventions in over the past decade, which have resulted in chaos and a severe humanitarian crisis, and analyzes prospects that recent efforts by  Islamist extremists to gain control, will be successful
    •  [Dec 08] Contemporary Piracy off the Horn of Africa
      Patrick Lennox. Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute
      The purpose of this paper is to establish an appreciation for the cyclical nature of piracy - a form of criminal activity that has been around since human beings first took to the waterways.  It provides context of both the origins of Somali piracy itself, and piracy as a general phenomenon

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    Background on Somalia

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      Piracy in Asia

    • [Feb 11] Maritime Commerce and Security: The Indian Ocean
      Amit A. Pandya, Rupert Herbert-Burns, and Junko Kobayashi. Henry L. Stimson Center
    • [Summer 09] The Political Economy of Piracy in the South China Sea
      David Rosenberg.  Naval War College Review
      This article examines the scope and trends in piracy in the South China Sea as well as the factors that motivate this formofmaritime crime. It continues with an analysis of the factors that impede antipiracy efforts, including uncertainties over definitions and legal jurisdiction, the underlying dynamics of piracy, and uncoordinated efforts at detection, pursuit, arrest, and conviction of pirates as well as recovery of crew, cargo, or ships. It concludes with an analysis of the limited progress made by state and market stakeholders to improve antipiracy security in the vital shipping lanes of the South China Sea
    • [Summer 09] Piracy and Armed Robbery in the Malacca Strait: A Problem Solved?
      Catherine Zara Raymond.  Naval War College Review
      This article discusses the reduction in pirate attacks in the Malacca Strait and how the attacks themselves have changed over the last decade, discussing the measures attributed to the reduction, as well as the underlying principles and attitudes that have shaped these initiatives. It examines how the issue of sovereignty, a principle of utmost importance in Southeast Asia, has impacted multilateral and bilateral cooperative efforts to address the transnational problem of piracy, including a series of International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings convened to tackle pressing issues affecting the safety and security of shipping in the Malacca Strait, concluding the recommendations regarding issues that require further action
    • [18 Feb 09] Calming the Waters in Maritime Southeast Asia
      Ian Storey.  East-West Center
      This paper reviews some of the factors that have led to an improvement in the maritime security situation in Southeast Asia and identifies steps that need to be continued in order to avoid an upsurge in piracy in Southeast Asia in coming years as a result of the global economic downturn
    • [June 06] Sea Piracy in Southeast Asia: Implications for Countering Maritime Terrorism in the United States
      John M.L. Geragotelis.  Naval Postgraduate School
      Sea piracy has infested the seven seas throughout history. In modern times, the United States has paid little attention to piracy because the nation’s isolated vastness has protected the shipping industry from maritime crime. But the events of 9/11 have changed the lens through which America views security. This thesis investigates modern day piracy and links between piracy and terrorism in order to determine implications for U.S. maritime security strategy.  Specifically, the maritime environment in Southeast Asia and associated maritime security policies are researched because a sizable proportion of the world’s sea piracy occurs in that region. U.S. maritime security policy is also evaluated
    • [Oct 05] Piracy in Southeast Asia: New Trends, Issues and Responses
      Catherine Zara Raymond.  Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies
      Piracy has plagued the region of Southeast Asia for many centuries and continues to do so to the present day. Despite increased efforts by the regional countries to reduce the problem, pirate attacks take place on an alarmingly regular basis in what are some of the world's most strategically important waterways. This paper will examine the phenomenon of piracy in Southeast Asia, in particular that which occurs in and around the waters of Indonesia and the Straits of Malacca. The trends which have emerged in recent years will be highlighted; specifically the types of attacks which take place, the different groups carrying out the attacks, the equipment they use and their targeting patterns. The study will then examine the causes of piracy, its impact and finally the responses of the region's states to the problem

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