In September 2007, at a busy intersection in Baghdad, something happened. What we know for sure is that when the dust settled, 17 Iraqi civilians were dead. Opening fire on them were not U.S. soldiers, but private U.S. security contractors from the company known as Blackwater. This wasn’t the first controversy surrounding these private security firms - more and more, people are questioning the risks involved in using “U.S. guns for hire”.

In this Link TV presentation we air Private Armies, a British documentary that takes a look at life as a private soldier. Alongside this on-the-ground film we speak with expert Jeremy Scahill, author of “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army,” who has not only studied the subject in depth, but also testified before Congress about these firms.

Private Armies
Following last year’s controversial Blackwater shootout, the role of private military contractors was thrust once again into the spotlight. There's no denying that the rise of the private military contractor is transforming the way we wage war. They earn four times more than regular soldiers, act with impunity and - in Iraq - outnumber all non-US soldiers combined. Private Armies follows the training and deployment of these men. From skidding around a racing track, practicing escaping from kidnappers, to dodging bullets in Baghdad, this insider documentary presents an eye-opening look at life as a private soldier.

LEARN MORE:

The official website of Blackwater USA
A collection of Jeremy Scahill’s reports on Blackwater from The Nation magazine.
Jeremy Scahill’s website contains news and information about his book, “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army.”
Source Watch provides extensive research on the secretive private security company from the Center for Media & Democracy.
Stop Blackwater is a citizens’ campaign aimed at stopping the construction of “Blackwater West” outside of the town of Potrero, California, in east San Diego county.

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