Private Military Companies: An Assessment

Abstract

This thesis examines controversies regarding the use of private military companies (PMCs) as defense contractors. The history of privatized security, consideration of ethical and legal issues, and examination of three case studies allows assessment of PMCs in accordance with five criteria for success: competence, cost efficiency analysis, control, flexibility, and impact on state armed forces. After examining three case studies representing a variety of types of PMCs (Executive Outcomes in Angola and Sierra Leone, Military Professional Resources Incorporated (MPRI) in Croatia, and Blackwater in Afghanistan and Iraq), the thesis finds that although PMCs can be used legitimately and to good effect, expanded use of PMCs may pose serious risks to U.S. forces, national security objectives, and U.S. political legitimacy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA488740

Entities

People

  • James M. O'brien Ii

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Employment
  • International Organizations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Military Separation
  • Military Training
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Private Military Companies
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Economics
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.