Publication

17 Nov 2008

This case study examines the emergence of private military contractors and the theoretical components of the flexibility-control balance in a theater of war. The report focuses on the context of low-level conflicts, especially in the counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq. The author contrasts how the flexibility offered by private contractors is a crucial asset to the military apparatus and how their presence introduces the risk of a loss of control on the unity of effort. He recommends that the extent of involvement of private contractors should be assessed in relation to the sensitivity of the context of operations.

Download English (PDF, 14 pages, 1.0 MB)
Author Emmanuel Clivaz
Series ISN Case Studies
Publisher International Relations and Security Network (ISN)
Copyright © 2008 International Relations and Security Network, Center for Security Studies (CSS), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich)
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