Private Military Contractors and Maritime Security Issues

Private Military Contractors and Maritime Security Issues

Piracy, terrorism, and other threats have compelled many merchant marine vessels to employ private military contractors. A U.N. report expressed concerns about mercenaries and alleged human rights violations. “While these shifts carry the potential for more secure maritime transit, it may also come at a cost to human rights, including the disproportionate use of force, violations to rights to life, …

Controversy Continues on Diego Garcia

Controversy Continues on Diego Garcia

According to reports, about 120 Sri Lankan asylum seekers are being held in a fenced camp on Diego Garcia, which is what the U.K calls “a safe third country.” Political turmoil in Sri Lanka has created thousands of refugees, many of whom have fled to Diego Garcia and want political asylum in the United Kingdom. While officials consider their pleas. …

More PTSD Research Emerges

More PTSD Research Emerges

According to scientists, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder not only affects the brain’s physical composition. It also changes hormone secretion and overall neurochemistry. After they endure stressful situations, for people without PTSD, the body returns to homeostasis, which is a self-regulating system that our bodies use to return to stability. That is not the case for someone living with PTSD symptoms. …

Are Contractors Good or Bad for U.S. Foreign Policy?

Are Contractors Good or Bad for U.S. Foreign Policy?

Frankly, the U.S. reputation in many parts of the world is already pretty low. Private military contractor activities, especially in places like Afghanistan, may have made this reputation better or worse. In a 2008 RAND survey, 35% of diplomatic personnel working with armed contractors in Iraq between 2003 and 2008 reported managing the consequences of actions by armed contractors against …

DoD Reports on Contractors in Syria, Iraq

DoD Reports on Contractors in Syria, Iraq

Over 20,000 private military contractors are stationed in Syria, Iraq, and other U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) areas of responsibility (AORs). Contractor employment in Iraq dropped off to literally nothing in the fiscal year 2014. Since then, use has increased and is now close to Iraq War levels. Overall CENTCOM contractor employment peaked in 2013 and has declined almost every year …