Another interesting parallel between today’s piracy and the problem the Romans faced is the total sense of paralysis and hopelessness the Romans felt in the face of piracy (the pirates even raided Rome itself) and the relative ease with which they defeated the pirates once they decided that enough was enough. I suspect that a NATO fleet with robust rules of engagement could take the pirates out pretty quickly. All that’s lacking is the will.
another thing i didnt put in my post was that they also faced the problem of the pirates melting away inland when they attacked the seaside bases. the senate gave the naval forces special powers to go inland and persue the Pirates even on land.