Private Contractors and the Reconstruction of Iraq: Transforming Military Logistics / Edition 1

by Christopher Kinsey

Overview

Private Contractors and the Reconstruction of Iraq examines the controversial role of military contractors in the reconstruction of Iraq. When 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' was launched in March 2003, few, if any, of the Coalition's political leaders could have envisaged that within a few months the number of private contractors engaged to keep the troops supplied would exceed their actual combat strength. This alternative 'army' was not only to become the largest assemblage of contractors in living memory to accompany a military force into a war zone, but was also responsible for a fundamental transformation of how military logistics were delivered.

This book explains how and why the US and UK governments became so dependent upon military contractors during the war in Iraq. It also examines the ramifications this new dependency will have on future military operations, as the conflict in Iraq has shown that private contractors are now indispensable to the attainment of both the military and political objectives of war. Finally, the book discusses what advantages and disadvantages these companies have brought to the reconstruction of Iraq, and what lessons need to be learned from this experience.

This book will be of great interest to students of military and strategic studies, Middle Eastern politics and international security, and as well as policymakers and military professionals.

Christopher Kinsey is a lecturer in international security at King's College London, Defence Studies Department, at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham. His previous publications include Corporate Soldiers and International Security: The Rise of Private Military Companies (Routledge: 2006)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415379649
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/06/2009
Series:	Contemporary Security Studies
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christopher Kinsey is a lecturer in international security with King’s College London, Defence Studies Department, at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham. His previous publications includes Coporate Soldiers and International Security: The Rise of Private Military Companies (Routledge: 2006)

Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The Role of Mercenaries and Contractors in Supplying War 2. Contractors and the Consequence of Political Mismanagement of the Iraq Invasion 3. Contractorising War: the US Government’s Reliance on Contractors in Iraq 4. Strategic Contracting and Contractors in the Reconstruction of Iraq 5. Outsourcing War: The Use of Contractors in Support of the UK Operation in Iraq 6. Operating with Impunity: A Gap in the Law or a Lack of Political Will? Conclusion