Iraq Demands Blackwater Exit Strategy

Staff / Truthdig Oct 9, 2007 Iraqi authorities have given the U.S. six months to cut ties with Blackwater, and are demanding custody of the private security guards who, according to a government investigation, recklessly opened fire on Iraqi civilians while escorting a State Department convoy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Scahill on the Blackwater Backlash

Staff / Truthdig Sep 18, 2007 "Blackwater" author Jeremy Scahill sounds off on the security firm's recent rampage and the impunity of America's private militias. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops in Iraq

Staff / Truthdig Jul 5, 2007 According to data from the State and Defense departments, there are more than 180,000 civilian contractors on America's payroll in Iraq That's about a surge's worth more than the current troop count, and it doesn't fully include private security contractors The L Times takes an exhaustive look at the "coalition of the billing". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Checking In With the Willing

Staff / Truthdig Jun 14, 2007 Radar Online checks in with Mongolia, Bulgaria and the other member nations of the "coalition of the willing" still fighting in Iraq. Albania, true to its love of George W. Bush, promises to see the war through to the end, with its 120 troops. Reminder: Of the roughly 162,000 troops fighting in Iraq, 150,000 are American, 7,100 are British and the rest, a hodgepodge of nations from Armenia to the Ukraine -- and that's not counting the mercenaries. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Democrats’ ‘Sellout’ on Bush’s Mercenaries

Jeremy Scahill / Truthdig May 1, 2007 The author of "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army" argues that the Democrats' withdrawal plan -- even if it ever gets past a veto -- isn't anything to write home about. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

Jeremy Scahill on Soldiers of Fortune

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2007 The writer speaks with Truthdig about his new book, "Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army," privatization in America and abroad, and our dysfunctional democracy. Dig deeper ( 17 Min. Read )

The Shadow Army

Staff / Truthdig Dec 22, 2006 When debating troop levels in Iraq, one ought not to forget the countless bodyguards, interpreters, truck drivers and mercenaries scattered around the country. Apparently not even Central Command has a firm grasp of just how many civilian contractors are employed in Iraq -- a number that could be as high as 100,000. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ted Koppel: Time for Army of U.S. Mercenaries?

Staff / Truthdig May 23, 2006 The longtime TV broadcaster, writing in the New York Times, snarkily suggests that oil companies that have the greatest interest in safeguarding a particular region should pick up the tab for hiring soldiers to defend it. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )