The International Response to Somali Piracy: Conclusion

The central theme of this book is the international response to Somali piracy. In this concluding chapter we will return to the two main questions that were posed in the introduction: how do actors with different nationalities interact when responding to Somali piracy, and what are the prospects for greater international cooperation? In discussing these two questions, this chapter will adopt a practical perspective on a number of issues that are relevant to fighting piracy, or at least to limiting the damage it causes. These issues are ultimately also relevant for the international level, either directly or indirectly. Finally, as this book represents an attempt to study a phenomenon that is still in a very early phase – i.e., international cooperation against maritime piracy – we will end by identifying some of the themes that require further research.