A study of 17 declassified documents  captured during the raid on the Abbottabad hideout of Osama Bin Laden.  A major theme is Bin Laden’s frustration  with regional jihadi groups and his inability to control their actions.  From the Combatting Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy

Covers recent military setbacks suffered by al-Shabaab at the hands of African Union and Kenyan forces, the suffering caused by the current famine, and recent efforts to promote a viable political process.  From the Library of the House of Commons

This report provides an overview of the current crisis, mainly in Somalia,  and its causes, background on the region, a framework for the international, humanitarian response,  and an analysis of some of the operational challenges.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes how and when temporary protected status and other forms of immigration relief are provided to noncitizens by the U.S. government.  Currently more than 300,000 foreign nationals from seven countries enjoy such status.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the U.S. Department of State Foreign Press Center

Looks at the military setbacks suffered by al-Shabaab during 2011, the motives behind the Kenyan incursion, and the scale and causes of the famine in southern Somalia.  From the House of Commons Library

Update to previous reports.  More than 200 pirate attacks occurred in the Horn of Africa waters during 2010 with 49 successful hijackings, more than 1100 hostages taken, and an annual cost to the global economy of up to $12 billion.  Discusses U.S. policy responses.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.com

Describes recent developments including the suicide bombings by Al-Shabaab in Kampala, Uganda in retaliation against nations that sent peace-keeping forces to Somalia and the shuffling of leadership positions in the Somali transition government.  Also provides information on  Al-Shabaab and Islamic organizations in Somalia. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org

Reports on the remarks at a forum on the question of how to bring stability to Somalia and alleviate the threat that terrorist groups will thrive in the absence of a recognized government. From the U.S. Institute of Peace

Argues that the upsurge of Somali piracy has dire implications for political stability and economic development in Somalia and threatens global trade. Offers practical strategies to mitigate the rising costs of Somali piracy and strengthen chance for lasting peace. From the United States Institute of Peace.

A collection of public and private resources related to the issue of piracy in the Indian Ocean. From the National Defense University.

Explains the objectives and structure of the treaty and the policy issues which have caused the U.S. to be one of two countries (the other is Somalia) which have not ratified the treaty. The Bush Administration opposed the treaty arguing that it conflicted with U.S. laws on privacy and family rights. The advent of the Obama Administration raises the possibility of U.S. ratification. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by OpenCRS.org.

Provides an overview of the problem involving piracy in the vicinity of failed states such as Somalia. Provides historical background to piracy and information about measures undertaken to combat pirates by the United Kingdom and international organizations. From the House of Commons Library.

Offers a series of case studies from poorly planned military operations in Somalia and Iraq to problems with responses to natural disasters to examine the need for reform of the national security structure of the U.S. From the Project on National Security Reform and the Center for the Study of the Presidency.

Reviews 21 past congressional attempts to curtail presidential efforts to extend or enlarge military operations. Tables and an appendix that summarize and cite bill language intended to end or restrict military operations in Indochina between 1970 and 1973, in Somalia in 1993, and in Kosovo in 1999. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.

Identifies and describes all roll call votes where American troops were sent abroad including Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists.