Private Military Firms as Instruments of U.S. Foreign Policy: The Case of Columbia
Abstract
This thesis assesses the costs and benefits of U.S. reliance on the private military industry in its assistance to Colombia. U.S. policy in Colombia is characterized by an enormous military and financial effort to combat the drug trade and the violence of terrorist groups, which are heavily involved in the drug business. Private military firms (PMFs) play a major role in the fight against drugs, particularly in the U.S.-funded aerial eradication program. In addition, the United States has relied on PMFs to assist in the transformation of the defense sector, which was a key part of Plan Colombia. Given the importance of Colombia to U.S. foreign policy, it is essential to determine whether PMFs have contributed to or undermined U.S. objectives in the country. In addition, the Colombian case sheds important light on the broader debate over the advisability of relying on PMFs as an instrument of foreign policy. The main argument is that even though PMFs have been subject to much greater regulation in the Colombian case than in other instances, the executive branch lacks the ability to oversee their activities adequately and there is still a significant deficit of accountability to the Congress and the public.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469971
Entities
People
- Matthias Boysen
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School