Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Case Against Private Military and Security Companies
Open Access
Author:
Egg-Krings, Christopher
Area of Honors:
Global and International Studies
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Sommer N Mitchell, Thesis Supervisor Jonathan Eran Abel, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
PMSC Private Military Government Contractors Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom
Abstract:
In the 21st century, the United States has increasingly relied on private military and security companies (PMSCs) to perform military and security functions. The use of PMSCs has risen because of the changing nature of warfare, their perceived efficiency, and the United States’ involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The increase in PMSCs has brought both positive and negative outcomes on military operations. On the one hand PMSCs prove to be nimble and efficient. On the other hand there are significant negative consequences which result from the widespread use of PMSCs that cannot be ignored. This thesis will review the role that PMSCs played in OIF and show that there were extensive examples of PMSCs that did not act in the best interest of the United States. Through the reduced utilization and the increased regulation of PMSCs, widespread waste, corruption, and fraud can be mitigated and the United States military can be improved.
