America’s Covert Warriors: Inside the World of Private Military Contractors

Private armies, especially those in Iraq, have taken on far more workload than their original mandates required. Initially intended for combat support, they have become fully fledged warriors, many with little experience, scant supervision and no accountability to the rules of engagement that constrain the US and British military forces. When the occupation of Iraq turned into a fight against insurgency, the demand for private military contractors skyrocketed in 2003 and 2004. This led to a relaxation of recruitment standards at a time when official military standards were under scrutiny and (predictably) has led to excessive civilian casualties.