Iraq Expels Blackwater

Blackwater USA is a private, mercenary army that is under the employ of the US military. It has quite a comprehensive operation in Iraq, protecting diplomats, contractors and other non-military types. The company has been regularly criticized for its operations in Iraq, where it operates as an unofficial extension of the US military, but without the oversight of civilian and military law. Iraqis have repeatedly complained that Blackwater's employees indiscriminately fire on, and kill, civilians during their operations. Now it appears that the Iraqis have finally had enough. The Iraq government has ordered the expulsion of Blackwater from their country after eight civilians were killed in the aftermath of a car bomb explosion -- although this expulsion may not affect Blackwater's operations that cater to the CIA or US State Department.

Of course, the US has quickly reacted and has promised an immediate investigation. The US military would be unable to operate in Iraq without Blackwater's presence. The US doesn't have enough soldiers to fight the war and provide security to the nation-building contractors on the ground -- half of whom are the guns for hire. In addition to the security detail, Blackwater also participates in clandestine operations on behalf of the US government. Most of these operations are shrouded in secrecy and can only be speculated on. American reliance on private armies for hire reached a pinnacle under the Bush Administration, which has successfully maintained a war while keeping congressional oversight to a minimum. This isn't disaster waiting to happen -- it has already happened, and Blackwater USA is making a killing keeping Uncle Sam's hands free of blood.

The US may be able to view Blackwater's soldiers as non-military personnel -- but the rest of the world, especially the Iraqis right now, see them all as being Americans. While the American government is now pursuing nation building, it's mercenaries are busily shredding any credibility it may be gaining. The situation is such a disaster that it must take a comatose population and administration mired in shit as to not notice.

For more on the private armies in Iraq, check out this BBC documentary.