Burn pits remain one of the most serious health hazards linked to deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, and other overseas locations where U.S. forces and contractors have operated for more than two decades. These massive open-air fires were used to dispose of nearly everything imaginable, from plastics and chemicals to vehicle parts, medical waste, and food scraps. The toxic …

Tensions are once again rising in the Persian Gulf, where Iranian naval forces and Saudi patrols have both increased activity amid renewed regional competition. The U.S. has also reinforced its presence in the area, deploying additional warships and surveillance assets to safeguard international shipping lanes. While governments emphasize deterrence and defense, the uptick in naval and logistical operations has quietly …

For years, toxic burn pits used in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other overseas military locations have been linked to serious respiratory illnesses, cancers, and neurological conditions. Now, new medical research suggests that burn pit exposure may also trigger autoimmune disorders, adding another layer of concern for veterans and private military contractors who served near these toxic sites. Autoimmune disorders can be …

Private military contractors often face the same dangers, pressures, and traumatic experiences as active-duty service members, but without the same long-term medical and mental health support. These men and women operate in high-stress environments around the world, often far from home and family, and must process experiences that few civilians can fully understand. In recent years, medical professionals and Defense …

Modern conflict is no longer fought only with weapons and armored vehicles. Increasingly, wars are waged behind keyboards, through sophisticated cyberattacks, surveillance operations, and information warfare. As this new digital battlefield expands, private military contractors are playing an increasingly vital role in protecting critical infrastructure, defending networks, and supporting military intelligence operations around the world. These cyber contractors may not …

Tensions in the South China Sea have quietly escalated into one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints. This region contains critical shipping lanes, vast energy reserves, and strategically located islands claimed by multiple countries. China has aggressively expanded its presence by building artificial islands, installing military infrastructure, and warning foreign vessels to stay away. In response, the United States …

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder’s grave consequences came into sharp focus during July 2025, when four IDF Gaza veterans took their own lives. The latest suicide victim, reservist Ariel Meir Taman, was found dead at his home in southern Israel, according to an IDF statement. The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the circumstances of his death. Once concluded, the …

Both the United States and the United Kingdom are on board with the transfer of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The U.S. and the U.K. are also both committed to stopping Chinese encroachment in the area. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the agreement between the U.K. and Mauritius and said in a statement that President Trump “expressed his …

Heavy losses in the summer of 2025 in failed Ukrainian campaigns have prompted Russian mercenary groups to go on a hiring spree. Private military companies linked to Russian GRU military intelligence have, since the start of summer, launched large-scale recruitment operations online and in various cities across the country. The Española battalion, formed in 2014 on the model of football …

In June 20205, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that Ukraine expel foreign fighters. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled that Ukraine might consider creating its own private military companies. Andrii Osadchuk, a lawmaker from the Holos party and first deputy head of the parliament’s Law Enforcement Committee, said he is “cautiously positive” about the idea but calls it “abstract” …

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 …