Overview
"From their limited use in China during World War II to their often-clandestine use in Vietnam, private military contractors (PMCs) have made essential contributions to the successes and failures of the military and United States. Today, with an emphasis on force restructuring mandated by the Pentagon, the role of PMCs, and their impact on policymaking decisions, is at an all time peak. Shadow Force analyzes that impact, focusing specifically on PMCs in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003." David Isenberg organizes his book thematically, addressing all facets of PMCs in the current conflict. His analysis ranges from identifying who the most influential companies are and how they got to that point, to the issues that the government, military, and contractors themselves face when they take the field. Isenberg dissects PMC responsibilities, the friction that exists between contractors and military commanders, and problems of protocol and accountability, as well as the problems of regulation and control that PMC companies create for domestic politics.Editorials
From the Publisher
"As a careful, sober survey of PMCs, Shadow Force is a valuable contribution to the public debate about contracting…Isenberg's arguments are solid…His book should be on every activists' and researchers' shelf."
-
TimShorrock.com
"Without significantly scaling back US geopolitical commitments or vastly expanding the US military, private military contractors will remain a part of the forces deployed in US military commitments, argues the author, who on that basis surveys the major issues and lessons concerning the operations of private military contractors in the US occupation of Iraq, focusing on private security contractors, such as Blackwater, more than contractors that serve logistical functions, such as KBR. He surveys the major players in the industry and then discusses issue of control and accountability, particularly in reference to the Abu Ghraib torture scandal, conflicts between contractors and military commanders, and the
problems of regulation and control in US domestic politics."
-
Reference & Research Book News
". . . thoughtful and thorough analysis of the rise of PMCs as actors in modern conflicts. . . . Although much has been written about this topic, the balanced discussion provided by Isenberg is an essential read for those seeking to learn more about the role and implications of PMCs."
-
Journal of Peace Research
"Isenberg provides a detailed overview of the local situation with striking precision and figures. First, he outlines the origin and path of what he calls the 're-emergence of an old phenomenon,' explaining the long-term U.S. policy of military outsourcing and its often controversial nature. The author then examines the consequences of such a strategy during Operation Iraqi Freedom."
-
Journal of International Peace Operations