Blackwater

In this summary you will learn

• How Blackwater became the nation’s pre-eminent private military contractor
• How Blackwater conducts its business
• Why it stands accused of excess violence against civilians in Iraq

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Why you should read Blackwater

The Iraq war has seen a vast expansion in the use of private security contractors to complement the U.S. military. But who are these contractors? Who pays them? And how did one contractor, Blackwater, become so entrenched? Jeremy Scahill answers these questions and more in this provocative, thoroughly reported book about the world’s largest, private mercenary army. Scahill has done a masterful job of researching this secretive organization to disclose its origins, motives, leaders and activities. getAbstract strongly recommends this compelling, disturbing story to anyone interested in the Iraq conflict, and in the larger picture of how private armies reshape warfare.

About the Author

Jeremy Scahill is a reporter for The Nation and Democracy Now!, and a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute.