The rise of the mercenary armies is arguably a bad omen for the planet Earth. I say "arguably" because for every person dead set against the concept of private contractual military forces fighting wars by proxy for potentially unnamed countries and perhaps, in the future... even multinational corporations; there’s an equal number of people in favor of it – though most of which are people on the other side of the political aisle who espouse a stranglehold on the same federal government meant to serve the people, including them.
Iraq has become a testing ground of sorts. Not only for the effectiveness of new smart weapons and experimental techniques and logistics equipment; but it is also serving as a proving ground for a new way of waging war itself. The traditional role of standing national armies is changing and accountability for those who would wage war this new way is shifting.
Well, obviously, the new rules of engagement practiced in Iraq have opened a Pandora’s box, and the mercenary armies unleashed upon Iraq are diversifying. In anticipation of an eventual drawdown in Mesopotamia, it seems as if the big private security companies like Blackwater USA, DynCorp, and Triple Canopy Inc. are seeking other avenues to exploit for profit and gain – specifically, the United Nations – as "policemen" in the Darfur region of the Sudan.
The blog, News Sophisticate has an interesting missive asking the question, "Has Blackwater USA already entered Darfur?" It really makes me wonder if anyone other than the company itself and those in the highest echelon of our government knows the answer.
After four years of genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan, the United Nations has decided to enter the fight to halt the senseless killings. Late in the night, the UN Security Council along with the UK, co-sponsored a resolution to create a 'hybrid' UN force. Comprised of roughly 20,000 'soldiers' and 6,000 'civilian police'. Are these police Blackwater USA?
Blackwater has long eyed doing business with the UN in the Sudan. They see the Iraq war winding down and are looking for more opportunities for expansion and the continuation of their 'soldier of fortune' corporate business plan. Chris Taylor, head of strategy for Blackwater, stated in 2006 that:
"Blackwater USA has a database of thousands of former police and military officers for security assignments...Blackwater personnel could set up perimeters and guard Darfurian villages and refugee camp in support of the U.N."
"There are a lot of crises in the world...so if they can get their foot in the door, it potentially opens up an entire new business sector, stated Peter Singer of the Brookings Institution.
Blackwater USA's previous acknowledgment of wanting to pursue doing 'business' with the UN in the Sudan leads to an eerie suspicion that they are part of this new 'hybrid' force. Although billed by the UN and British officials, the new hybrid force will have a 'predominantly African character'.
So, what does that mean, "hybrid force?" From what pool of suitable African operatives will they choose? And, will they branch out and include participants from other impoverished countries, such as Peru, Chile, Fiji, Malaysia? Triple Canopy Inc. has done the same in Iraq and worse. They’ve had the contract to guard the Green Zone since 2005, not the U.S. or British military.
One of the main proponents of the privatized military, Zalmay Khalilizad, the current ambassador to the U.N. He commented on the situation in Darfur.
"If Sudan does not comply with this resolution, the United States will move for the swift adoption of unilateral and multilateral measures...now Sudan faces a choice. Sudan can choose the path of co-operation or defiance," stated Zalmay Khalilizad, US Ambassador to the UN, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, former US Ambassador to Iraq, the infamous double source for the Office of the VP and the Pentagon in the prewar intelligence Debacle, Original PNAC member, CFR member, architect of Afghan Mujaheddin policies (Osama's long time buddy).
Where are these soldiers and police coming from? Who is paying whom for what contract? Is the Darfur going to become the 'new Iraq' for privately funded sub 'machine gun' contractors?
Truth is, privately funded armies are a threat to democracy in America and around the world. The U.S. and the rest of the world spend trillions of dollars every year on the proliferation of war. So, why do we need to pay contractors? Is it for the sake of capitalism? It surely is not for the sake of spreading democracy across the world. The concept of capitalism is good for democracy – when it is not allowed to run rampant over society. If countenanced to the level we see in this country right now, profit, or more specifically, the esurient lust for profit will eventually consume a country and starve it of its social programs and infrastructure. It breeds inequality and income disparity, which in turn, fuel class wars.
Remember what corporate greed and a "business friendly" government with its lax oversight has wrought upon this country. It gave us Enron, Arthur Anderson, Halliburton, Qwest, Tyco, World Com, and a myriad of other corrupt corporations.
Now that corruption will surely spread to the deadly serious business of waging war. To whom are these private armies accountable? Will every leader of every country, or those that can afford to anyway, sustain and maintain their own Praetorian Guard? And will they be used against the citizenry?
The cause is dubious, and the means do not justify the end. – not in the long term. We should have sent U.S. troops to Darfur a year ago – two years ago. After all, is not the prevention of genocide a priority for the United States? Apparently, it’s not anymore. Or is it because China has built lucrative ties to the region in search of natural resources? We wait until the private armies are built up enough to branch out... to diversify – before we decide to send help. God forbid we send anyone to help in Darfur before profit margins turn around to our advantage.
And, then the Bush administration will just use its influence with the U.N. to get Blackwater, Triple Canopy Inc. and DynCorp inside the door. Conflicts will soon break out all over the world as the deleterious effects of global warming become more prominent. Will the U.N. now send richly paid, unaccountable troops to these burgeoning hot spots?
Luckily, it seems Congress has had enough. Apparently, the House of Representatives have learned a little since the days of 'no bid contract Iraq'. In an attempt to keep a tab on U.S. corporations participating in the Darfur resolution force, the House passed the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (H.R. 180) on Monday. H.R. 180 reads, "...require the identification of companies that conduct business operations in Sudan, to prohibit United States Government contracts with such companies, and for other purposes."
That’s a start – but we need to do more. The policy of war as a very last resort is the only way of nipping the "Praetorian Guard" juggernaut in the bud. We need to make this a priority because it goes right to the core of Democratic party values.
What a concept!
Meanwhile, throw da bums (Republicans) out!
Peace