In Iraq and Afghanistan, they transformed the way we wage war. They do the jobs that no one else wants to do and seem to kill with impunity, acting outside the law. But despite repeated promises to regulate the role of private contractors, nothing seems to be happening. Faced with a wave of public outrage over its actions in Iraq, Blackwaters simply changed its name, first to Xe then to Academi.
We examine the role of private contractors in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We speak to their employers and contractors and examine the financing behind these companies.