Jeremy Scahill speaks on the privatization of war

Part 1

Part 2

Jeremy Scahill was a guest speaker at Nazareth College on April 8. The presentation was part of Nazareth's Conference on Globalization and Culture. Scahill's most notable work is his Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Largest Mercenary Army. He recently served as an unembedded journalist in Afghanistan, writing for The Nation.

Blackwater is not the only mercenary “security” contractor in Afghanistan or elsewhere. There are many others. They represent what Scahill calls a radical shift toward privatization. We see this not only in the military, but in domestic security, law enforcement, corrections, education and health care. Private interests are taking over what should be the sovereign realm of society and are doing so with no accountability. In many cases private profits take precedence over the interests of the country.

Scahill's most recent trip to Afghanistan was in October and November of 2010. Most American journalists are “embedded” with US troops. They travel with them on military operations and are protected. Their reporting must be vetted by the military before it can be published. Scahill was an unembedded journalist, that is, traveling on his own, and at his own peril. When most Americans think of Afghanistan, they think of Kabul. Kabul has been Americanized. Scahill described it as a “frat party” atmosphere. Journalists and diplomats live in high-class hotels. Elaborate “dog and pony” shows are staged for visiting members of Congress as demonstrations of our “success.” “I set out to interview people where it really matters.” That place was the village of Gardez near the Pakistan border. “We wore native clothing and beards; we had to negotiate with the Taliban and tribal leaders to allow passage.” What he found was that the US and Taliban were “taking turns” controlling the area, and the US was funding both sides. Depending who was “in charge” at the particular time, US supply trucks might be let through, and radio and phone communications might be operating. Or they might not. When Taliban were in charge they had to shut down or risk being bombed.

In one horrific incident in February 2010, A Special Operations team attacked a mud-brick home in the town. The home owner was shot in the head for defending his home from what he thought were robbers. Prisoners were taken and three people were shot including two pregnant women. The Americans later dug the bullets out of the bodies to cover up their actions, claiming the victims were executed by the Taliban. The world would have believed the story had it not been for reporting by Jerome Starkey of the London Times. General Stanley McChrystal who was in command of US forces at the time defended the story, but later backed down and admitted the truth after being pressured by human rights organizations. “Bad intelligence,” the gathering of which was outsourced, was given as the reason for the “mistake.” According to a member of the family that was attacked “We loved America, but now I just want to kill Americans.” There are, at most, 100 Al Queda operatives in Afghanistan. Most of them are in Pakistan and Yemen. But perhaps the most shocking revelation is that 90 percent of Afghans do not know about the September 11 attacks on the US and do not know who Osama Bin Laden is. They have no clue why American forces are there. We are spending $9 billion a month on a war that will never be won. We are creating terrorists by our own policies.

It isn't just Blackwater, it is the privatization of war. There are currently more of these “contractors” in Afghanistan than there are US troops. The situation is even more pronounced in Iraq. Candidate Barack Obama in 2008 promised to end the Iraq war. Somewhere along the way this was morphed into “withdrawing US troops.” What the Administration is not telling us is that these withdrawn troops are being replaced with private contractors at considerably more expense. Some of these agents are paid over $600 a day. Many were trained in the US military. There aren't many employment opportunities for people with their skills back home they don't always transition back into society smoothly, especially in times of high unemployment. So they go to work for mercenary contractors. Meanwhile the killing rages on despite news stories of US troops coming home.

Elite Blackwater agents were used to guard US viceroy Paul Bremer during the early stages of the Iraq occupation. Unlike US Marines who traditionally had those duties, private contractors are not bound by the Universal Code of Military Justice. There are no rules of engagement, no restrictions on the use of deadly force. Just “keep our people safe no matter how many civilians you have to gun down and enforce the gospel of the free market.” Crimes do not get prosecuted. There is even a question of loyalty. These private operatives also report to other governments and corporations. Currently 70 percent of the US intelligence budget is paid to private companies. They have access to information that used to belong exclusively to the nation-state. This chisels away at sovereign national security. There are repercussions. Four Blackwater agents were famously killed and dragged through the streets of Fallujah in 2004. “I knew their families” says Scahill. “That was how I became obsessed with Blackwater.” We wanted answers about why those men were sent into harm's way in an unarmored vehicle with no weapons. This was a coverup of a shoddy mission. The families sued and Blackwater counter-sued. Unlike the US military, there is no way to hold these private entities accountable.

Blackwater was founded by Eric Prince, a former Navy Seal from a wealthy family. He started Blackwater with backers from the Radical Right and former Rangers, Delta Force and Special Ops members. The company initially secured deals with the CIA and State Department in Kabul. While Blackwater started during the Clinton Administration, who licensed them, “their phone began ringing off the hook after George W Bush declared war on the world.” Unable to build a coalition of willing nations, the Bush-Cheney administration established a corporate army of 30,000 armed private soldiers. “Blackwater owes its success to Bush, Cheney and 9/11.”

Blackwater has been used domestically as well. This was most notable in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “I was down there at the time” says Scahill. “Blackwater was everywhere; they were armed with M4 rifles and Glock 9's.” “I became focused on who hires these private forces and how they are used.” They claimed to have been deputized by the Governor of Louisiana but they were actually hired by private banks, gated community operators and wealthy individuals to “protect from looters.” After 8 days President Bush hired Blackwater because “they were already there.” The Louisiana National Guard, who should have been handling the disaster, was deployed to Iraq at the time. The Posse Comitatus Act forbids the use of the US military for domestic law enforcement. The use of these private militaries clearly circumvents that Act. Blackwater was not alone in New Orleans. Private Israeli contractors were stopping American citizens. There were some serious questions of the motives of those who hired them. James Reese, a white businessman was quoted saying “If the demographics don't change we are out of here.” In other words, use these shock troops to chase the “undesirable elements” out and make sure they don't come back.

The presentation was followed by questions and answers. Asked about his political leanings Scahill replied I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican I consider myself a Journalist. I'm not about the person, I'm about their policies. When Asked about Bradley Manning and Wikileaks he had this to say: I would like to see the evidence before making any judgments. Manning swore an oath to the military; the case is going to be complicated. We should not promote anyone as a hero or a villain without knowing the details…However he is being punished before his trial and that sets a bad example of the US to the rest of the world. On Wikileaks: What they did is similar to what the New York Times and the press has done throughout history. They did what they should have done. He also took time to criticize journalists who condemn Wikileaks and then use Wikileaks documents to sell their papers. We have learned a lot from some of those documents on how the US has propped up dictators. It sheds light on activities that need to be examined.

Scahill referenced President Eisenhower's warning about the Military-Industrial Complex and described the US as “addicted” to these private armies. “Without these private forces US would not be able to be in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.” Congress has failed to enact any laws limiting the use of contractors. The United Nations has recognized the problem but enacted “toothless” regulations. Meanwhile the contracting companies flourish because the demand for them is there. As for what to do to change things, campaign finance reform is the key. The Citizens United decision must be overturned. He also advocated a Corporate Death Penalty.