Somali Piracy: An Escalating Security Dilemma

Shani Ross and Joshua Ben-David

Abstract: 

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has grown exponentially in recent years. This article will explain the growing trend, which is the result of a number of factors including the unstable political environment, the collapsed economy, and the presence of Islamic terror groups in Somalia. The research concludes that only a unified stance by the international community that addresses a two-part strategy can facilitate the eradication of Somali piracy. If the global actors involved do not enhance cooperation in the fight against piracy while simultaneously enacting measures to improve stability in Somalia, global commercial trade will continue to suffer from extortion, and Islamic radicalism in Somalia will continue to thrive and potentially overtake the country

About the Author: 

Shani Ross is a researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) and is currently completing her graduate studies in diplomacy and conflict studies at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel. Ms. Ross has worked as a research assistant for Dr. Isaac Kfir since
2007.

Joshua Ben-David is the founder and chairman of Fortress Group Ltd., a real estate development and consulting company that facilitates the implementation of Israeli public policy for earthquake disaster planning and reinforcement. He is a graduate of the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel, where he specialized in international relations and counterterrorism.