PMC’s and PSC’s in the Global Military Bazaar
PMC’s and PSC’s in the Global Military Bazaar

Summary/Abstract: The issues of privatization of warfare and outsourcing of military responsibilities and activities to private military companies (PMC’s) and private security companies (PSC’s) are topics of tremendous importance as we examine both the shape of current conflicts and what the Western way of war may look like in the future. The privatizations of more and more military responsibilities, from intelligence and logistic support to direct involvement in combat related activities such as bodyguard duties and convoy protection, are ones that have, to date, attracted little public attention and surprisingly little discussion within the security community itself. But this is too important a trend for it not to be subject to a more thorough and complete analysis of the impact this growing phenomenon is having on the ability of Western states to wage war, and operations short of war, including peacekeeping, peacemaking and nation building tasks. It is past time for the so far limited discussion on these issues to receive wider attention from decision makers, opinion formers and the general public.

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