Disrupting Somali Piracy via Trust and Influence Operations
Abstract
This thesis analyzes the piracy problem in East Africa, focusing specifically on Somali pirate networks. The thesis begins by providing historical background on the political unrest that occurred in Somalia during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and the government collapse that followed, in an attempt to identify the root cause of the piracy problem there. The thesis then examines the make-up, motivation, and structure of Somali pirate networks to understand how they organize and operate, and how they might be disrupted. The study also addresses current anti-piracy efforts and the reasons why they are not effective in preventing and deterring Somali pirates. Alternative solutions are presented that are based on instilling distrust and suspicion within pirate networks, and undermining the alliances among these networks and their support structures. The countermeasures proposed in this study, based on trust and influence operations, have been used to disrupt criminal organizations in the past, and they may be effective in combating Somali piracy today.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501147
Entities
People
- Robert S. Bair
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School