Private Military and Security Companies: New States Tools of Warfare

• In Event: Emerging Norms in International Security

Abstract

Traditional militaries have been unable to meet the demands of growing post-conflict environments worldwide. To fill this void, a market for private security forces like PMSCs—also known as contractors and mercenaries—has emerged. The United States employed PMSCs in Iraq and Afghanistan while Nigeria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, and others have also hired private fighters for covert operations. The Trump administration has expressed an interest in increasing the role of PMSCs in Afghanistan, specifically related to overtaking responsibilities and activities from U.S. troops. Research, however, indicates that PMSCs have decreased transparency in conflict zones, encouraged “warlordism” (a particularly nefarious kind of rentier state), and abused human rights. What effect, if any, will the use of PMSCs have on ending conflicts? In other words, how will using privatized tools of warfare effect the conclusion of conflicts? This paper will focus on the growing role of PMSCs in Afghanistan, and their effect on the United States’ ability to end the war there.

Author

• Sahar Khan, Cato Institute