Mercenaries and modern private military contractors may look similar on the surface—both are paid to operate in conflict zones—but the reality is very different, especially in today’s contracting environment. Historically, mercenaries were individuals or small groups hired directly for combat, often with little oversight, loyalty, or long-term structure. From ancient Greek fighters to Renaissance condottieri, […]
IRAN — The Strait of Hormuz continues to operate as the world’s most critical maritime chokepoint, but it remains under constant pressure from security threats and regional tensions. Roughly one-fifth of global oil flows through this narrow passage, making any disruption immediately felt across international markets.
IRAQ — The United States maintains a much smaller military presence in Iraq today compared to the height of operations during the Iraq War. Over the past several years, American forces have consolidated into a limited number of strategic locations as the mission transitioned from combat operations to advising, intelligence support, and regional security cooperation. […]
IRAQ — The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has issued a security alert urging American citizens to leave Iraq immediately due to rising regional tensions and increasing security risks. The advisory follows a series of recent attacks and escalating threats linked to Iranian-aligned militia groups operating in the country.
From the moment the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, the U.S. military has relied on contractors. Whether delivering rations, building ships, or supplying aircraft, contractors have been the backbone of American warfighting. But this reliance has never been simple. It has been a story of corruption, reform, improvisation, and eventual professionalization.