In recent years, U.S. military operations in Africa have greatly expanded. Washington has established forward operating locations (FOL) and drone bases. It has helped various African countries, like Liberia, retrain their militaries. It has tried to track rebel groups like the Lord’s Resistance Army and the East African terrorist group like Al-Shabaab. The U.S. Africa […]
REPORT FOREIGN POLICY — Military analysts trying to understand the stunning collapse of the Afghan military is increasingly pointing to the departure of U.S. government contractors starting a month ago as one of the key turning points. The Afghans had relied on contractors for everything from training and gear maintenance to preparing them for intelligence […]
According to the Department of State, $15 billion was awarded for the Worldwide Protective Services III contract duration of up to 10 years. In being selected, Caliburn builds on its strong performance in executing current security task orders in Iraq and Somalia under the WPS II program. “This selection indicates the Department of State’s confidence […]
In September 2007, a convoy of armored vehicles carrying private security contractors employed by the firm then known as Blackwater USA approached a large traffic circle in Baghdad. Minutes later, 17 Iraqi civilians in that square were dead, and 24 others had been wounded. The sentencing this month of four Blackwater guards in the attack […]
Working with other U.S. Government agencies, the Department of Defense supports international efforts for regulation and oversight of PSCs. These efforts include the development and promotion of the Montreux Document on pertinent international legal obligations and good practices for States Related to operations of Private Military and Security Companies During Armed Conflict and promotion of the International […]