Replicating success? a military response to maritime piracy, the somalia experience

Abstract

Maritime piracy-the plundering, hijacking, or detention of a ship in international waters-is a crime that is centuries old. The recent spike in pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden focused the world’s attention once more on the problem of assuring safe passage for vessels, their crew and their cargo. In this context, this article seeks to demonstrate that, while the naval patrol was important, it was only one element of an integrated response which almost entirely eradicated Somali piracy. Alone it would not have created the same results.