Korean boats seized off Somalia "Since the start of this year, there has been a sharp increase in piracy attacks off the Somali coast. Piracy had been brought under control until Ethiopian and Somali troops ousted the Union of Islamic Courts. "

International disintegration When the Roman Empire declined, piracy in the Mediterranean benefited. Within the context of dark age theory, the present situation off various coasts can be interpreted as a reflection of the leading powers' capacity to guarantee the safety of navigation on the high seas (some may point at the USA, others at China). Click on map to enlarge. Source: global security