In 2009, pirates near the coast of Somalia attacked roughly 214 vessels and seized 47 ships. While recent hijackings and ransoms exploits on the high seas bear striking parallels to the "Golden Age of Piracy" during 1650–1730, it is evident that modern-day piracy has changed in the scope of such activities, the technologies that enable them, and the terrorist connections that threaten global security.

Global Organized Crime: A Reference Handbook examines global organized crime dating back to its 17th-century roots. Unlike most works on the subject, which take a parochial approach by concentrating on individual countries or regions, this book uniquely details the impact of 21st-century globalization on such groups and their activities.
Exploring the continuum of international organized crime and related developments from its early beginnings to the present era, the book also looks at the complicated issues that continue to influence its growth. It covers the impact of the end of the Cold War, immigration, the global drug trade, weapons sales, human smuggling and trafficking, the convergence of funding sources, and the effects of technology. What especially distinguishes this book is the connections it makes between organized crime activities and failed states, civil wars, political transitions, regional conflicts, and terrorist groups.