What is the significance of private security firms in Iraq?
Private security firms are now the third largest international contributor of forces to the war effort in Iraq — after U.S. and British troops. The firms (of which there are more that 170 operating in Iraq) do not have a military role, but their recruits are often ex-military and many join because the pay far exceeds that of the military. Often private contractors earn in excess of $100,000 a year. Their jobs include the protection of personnel working for private companies and non-government organizations in Iraq. The U.S. also relies on them for protection of diplomats. According to the Washington Post, “The security industry’s enormous growth has been facilitated by the U.S. military, which uses the 20,000 to 30,000 contractors to offset chronic troop shortages. “Armed contractors protect all convoys transporting reconstruction material, including vehicles, weapons and ammunition for the Iraqi army and police. They guard key U.S. military installations and provide personal security
