Arms trafficking in Somalia is a complex issue with global implications. Extremist organizations, such as Al-Shabaab, appear to be the main beneficiaries of the unlimited flow of weapons and use them to achieve their goals. Furthermore, the availability of weapons, particularly small arms, undermines regional stability and undermines US strategy. The purpose of this article is to address the importance of the arms trafficking network in Somalia by examining the culture in which it thrives, Al-Shabaab's motivation for obtaining them, the sources of the illegal weapons, and the United States' perspective. II. According to the CultureBased on indicators and risk analysis, Somalia has ranked first in the failed states index since 2008 (FFP, 2013). There are several factors contributing to Somalia's instability. The first of these factors is government. Since 1991, Somalia has lacked an effective central government and there is no known national system for legislation or conflict resolution. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) represents the seventeenth attempt to establish a formal state in Somalia since the fall of Siad Barre's regime in 1991 (TCC, 2011). The second factor is the unique geography that creates gaps in border security. Somalia is 246,200 square miles and borders three countries, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. Somalia also has an extensive coastline that extends approximately 1,900 miles (TCC, 2011). The third factor is food and water security. Somalia has been a humanitarian crisis for several decades. The famine in Somalia is nationwide and the drought is putting a strain on the country's water reserves. Estimates from 2010 indicate that all of the country had at least a moderate food concern, and more than half were of... half of the paper... Security Council) (2008). Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia under resolutions 751 (1992) and 1811 (2008) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. S/2008/769 of 10 December 2008.UNSC (United Nations Security Council) (2011). Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia under resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. S/2011/433 of 18 July 2011.UNSC (United Nations Security Council) (2013). Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia under Security Council Resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea. S/2013/413 dated July 12, 2013. United States Department of State (USDoS, 2014) The United States Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to Somalia. (2014, February 7). Retrieved March 29, 2014, from http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/somalia-travel-warning.html