Blackwater Out of Iraq, but Mercs to Stay?
Here’s an idea so diabolically perfect in its simplicity only Noah Shachtman at Danger Room was able to report it. Sure, Blackwater might be kicked out of Iraq.
Jul 31, 202044K Shares1.5M Views
Here’s an idea so diabolically perfect in its simplicity only Noah Shachtman at Danger Room was able to report it. Sure, Blackwater might be kicked out of Iraq. But does that really mean its mercenaries will leave?
“„The State Department has a contract for “Worldwide Personal Protective Services” with three firms: Blackwater, DynCorp, and Triple Canopy. If Blackwater is no longer allowed to operate in Iraq, a lawyer steeped in the field tells Danger Room, there’s no legal reason why the other two firms can’t scoop up Blackwater’s employees. “State simply issues a new task order to DynCorp or Triple Canopy, who turn around and hire some or all of Blackwater’s employees,” he says.
And that’s why it’s significant that Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton backed awayfrom her campaign pledge to ban private military companies from doing business with the department. The contract is up in September. Why wouldn’t Triple Canopy and DynCorp, who’ll benefit from their suddenly-increased size of the Iraq contract, just hire the people with the most in-country experience? Blackwater’s employees seem unable to quit Iraq. After all, as Noah notes, it was hard enough kicking Blackwater contractors out when they were just, you know, shooting members of the Iraqi vice president’s entourage.
Dexter Cooke
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Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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