![A US Special Forces soldier at a remote village in the Arghandab District in Afghanistan](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/us-army-afghanistan-2009-cc-img.jpg)
The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars The Unseen Soldiers of America’s Privatized Wars
There is probably no better evidence of how poorly the War on Terror demonstrated its stated goal of the rule of law than the little-noted use, and misuse, of security contractors.
May 16, 2023 / Andrea Mazzarino
![Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/joe-divincenzo-chris-christie-ap-img.jpg)
New Jersey Is Addicted to ICE New Jersey Is Addicted to ICE
North Jersey is a Democratic stronghold. Why is it complicit with Trump’s deportation machine?
Mar 26, 2019 / Whitney Strub
![How Israel Privatized Its Occupation of Palestine](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LoewensteinKennard20161114_img.jpg)
How Israel Privatized Its Occupation of Palestine How Israel Privatized Its Occupation of Palestine
It has enriched the security industry and allowed the country to evade accountability for human-rights violations.
Oct 27, 2016 / Feature / Antony Loewenstein and Matt Kennard
![Booz Allen Hamilton HQ](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/booz_allen_hamilton_rtr_img.jpg)
A New Spy Scandal Exposes the Corruption of Privatized Intelligence A New Spy Scandal Exposes the Corruption of Privatized Intelligence
“This is corporate malfeasance and a direct threat to national security.”
Oct 14, 2016 / Tim Shorrock
![Soldier walks through Abu Ghraib](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/soldier_abughraib_ap_img.jpg)
Will These 2 Court Cases Finally Hold Our Torturers Accountable? Will These 2 Court Cases Finally Hold Our Torturers Accountable?
They may confirm that since torture is a war crime, it can never be a policy option.
May 10, 2016 / David Cole
![Iraqi Forces Search For The Kidnapped](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Iraq_Police_Baghdad_AP_img.jpg)
Contractor Kidnappings and the Perils of Privatized War Contractor Kidnappings and the Perils of Privatized War
More than 3,700 contractors died on the global battlefield between 2001 and 2015, in this deadly and secrecy-shrouded game of crony capitalism.
Feb 2, 2016 / Tim Shorrock
![How Private Contractors Have Created a Shadow NSA](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/shorrock_cybersecurity_otu_img.jpg)
How Private Contractors Have Created a Shadow NSA How Private Contractors Have Created a Shadow NSA
A new cybersecurity elite moves between government and private practice, taking state secrets with them.
May 27, 2015 / Feature / Tim Shorrock
![Blackwater: One of the Pentagon’s Top Contractors for Afghanistan Training](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/blackwatertarget_ap_img.jpg)
Blackwater: One of the Pentagon’s Top Contractors for Afghanistan Training Blackwater: One of the Pentagon’s Top Contractors for Afghanistan Training
A Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction report reveals the major recipients of DoD's Afghanistan reconstruction programs.
Mar 31, 2015 / Blog / Tim Shorrock
![Finally, a Verdict on Blackwater’s Nisour Square Shooters](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/blackwater_nisour_ap_img.jpg)
Finally, a Verdict on Blackwater’s Nisour Square Shooters Finally, a Verdict on Blackwater’s Nisour Square Shooters
Accountability for the massacre in Iraq is a start—but we should also be talking about reducing reliance on private military contractors.
Oct 29, 2014 / Editorial / The Editors
![America: The Impotent Superpower](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/iraq_flag_protest_rtr_img.jpg)
America: The Impotent Superpower America: The Impotent Superpower
American military and corporate power have triumphed over all rivals—so why does the United States still struggle to impose its will on the world?
Jul 14, 2014 / Tom Engelhardt