Russian and Chinese contractors (mercenaries) are on the move in Africa. These organizations approach their jobs from very different perspectives. The Wagner Group (and its successors) operate in combat zones like Mali, the Central African Republic, and Mozambique, providing military support to fragile regimes in exchange for mining rights and strategic access. Wagner’s model blends regime protection, propaganda, and force, …
In the hazardous world of offshore drilling and oil platform operations, injuries are unfortunately common. Workers face dangerous conditions daily, including heavy machinery, hazardous materials, and extreme weather. When injuries occur offshore, compensation can become complex due to jurisdictional and legal challenges. That’s where the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) plays a critical role. Passed in 1953, OCSLA extends …
Study results published in May 2025 link Chronic Nonallergic Rhinosinusitis (CNAR) with exposure to toxic burn pit smoke. According to the study, chronic rhinosinusitis may be associated with deployment-related burn pit exposure and can impact previously deployed individuals’ well-being; standard-of-care treatments have the potential to improve their health. Enhanced awareness of the effects of toxic exposures on veterans’ health may …
The Philippines is one of America’s oldest allies in the Pacific and has long served as a key partner in defense and security efforts. With joint training exercises, counterterrorism initiatives, and ongoing military cooperation, U.S. civilian contractors are frequently deployed to the Philippines in support of these missions. Contractors often work in roles ranging from construction and logistics to security, …
India has become an increasingly important partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. With growing defense cooperation, joint military exercises, and intelligence sharing, civilian contractors play a critical role in supporting U.S. operations, infrastructure projects, and logistics in the country. Thousands of American contractors work in India, often on projects tied to defense, technology, construction, security, and maintenance. …
The Syrian conflict has drawn in many parties, including loosely organized terrorist groups that use next-generation improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These IEDs are highly lethal, and even the concussive blast alone can cause a permanent traumatic brain injury (TBI). Syria has long been under the control of Bashar al-Assad, one of the most entrenched dictators in the region. His socialist …
Qatar, a small but affluent nation located on the Persian Gulf at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, has long played a key role in U.S. military operations in the Middle East. Its geographical position makes it a vital staging area for regional missions, and the government of Qatar has been supportive of a U.S. presence since Operation Desert Storm …
Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country located at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf, bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Its wealth and strategic position have made it a focus of global attention, and in the early 1990s, it became the target of aggression when Iraq attempted to annex the country. The United States led a …
Since the end of World War II, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in Japan. Immediately after the war, the U.S. served as an occupying force while the country was demilitarized to prevent future aggression. In 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco restored Japanese sovereignty. At the same time, the two nations signed the Japan-America Security Agreement, …
In many instances, private companies have served in para-military roles, providing mission support, personal security, and training the Iraqi forces. Many of these contractors were former military and relied on their training to perform their duties. Contractors often worked side by side with U.S. service members, facing the same dangers and incurring many of the same types of injuries. The …
The Republic of Haiti, occupying the western half of the island of Hispaniola, has endured centuries of turbulence. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, the indigenous Taino people were already living there, having migrated from South America. Haiti’s history is marked by colonization, rebellion, and political instability. It was controlled by Spain from 1492 until 1625, and later by France. …
Half an ocean away in the Western Pacific lies Guam, the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas Archipelago. Its location makes it one of the most strategically important U.S. bases in the region, serving as the forward line of defense in the Pacific. Today, nearly 29% of Guam’s land is occupied by U.S. military installations, underscoring its role in …
