Dave's review
Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill
Dave's review
rating:
bookshelves: politics
recommended for: americans
status: Read in May, 2007 — I have a copy to sell/swap
rating:
bookshelves: politics
recommended for: americans
status: Read in May, 2007 — I have a copy to sell/swap
I just finished this book, which I had initially set aside, after hearing a radio interview with the author. The issues he raises in this book are pretty amazing:
(1) There are more contractors working in Iraq than there are American soldiers. Between Blackwater (military/security functions) and KBR/Halliburton (support services), the military has essentially been privatized. Because this is the case, these contractors, representing American interests, have no accountability to Congress, the courts or any other aspect of the government.
(2) What Blackwater and other security contractors do ends up having blowback against uniformed troops -- to Iraqis, they're all Americans. Death toll of US troops: 3400 and counting. Blackwater personnel: 917, including all support personnel and Iraqi translators/assistants/etc.
(3) Many of the contractors serving for Blackwater are foreign mercenaries -- former death squad leaders from El Salvador, Chilean mercenaries, and others who ...more
(1) There are more contractors working in Iraq than there are American soldiers. Between Blackwater (military/security functions) and KBR/Halliburton (support services), the military has essentially been privatized. Because this is the case, these contractors, representing American interests, have no accountability to Congress, the courts or any other aspect of the government.
(2) What Blackwater and other security contractors do ends up having blowback against uniformed troops -- to Iraqis, they're all Americans. Death toll of US troops: 3400 and counting. Blackwater personnel: 917, including all support personnel and Iraqi translators/assistants/etc.
(3) Many of the contractors serving for Blackwater are foreign mercenaries -- former death squad leaders from El Salvador, Chilean mercenaries, and others who ...more
