29 Oct 2007 - Blackwater Book

I just finished reading Blackwater - The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jereym Scahill. The book details the rise of Blackwater USA, a private military company and security firm started by Erik Prince. Scahill argues that Blackwater's rise is a consequence of demilitarization of the U.S. military following the Cold War and its over extension in Iraq and Afghanistan. He argues further that Blackwater presently serves in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Praetorian Guard, protecting top authority figures and immune from the usual constraints and regulations on traditional armies. Although this book was released in 2006, Blackwater has been in the news for many months since Blackwater body guards killed 17 Iraqi civilians in early Sept. In March 2004, four Blackwater people were killed and two of the bodies hung in Fallujah and then the US retaliated with force. Even though Blackwater lost 4 people in Fallujah in 2004, they have been awarded (non-bid) contracts for 100's of million dollars and now have the largest mercenary force in the world.

If you are interested in what has happened in Iraq and why, this is a must read book........

Check out today's news on Blackwater.