Russia Simultaneously Admits and Denies Involvement in Syria

Russia Simultaneously Admits and Denies Involvement in Syria

For the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged that private military contractors were in-county supporting strongman Bashar al-Assad. However, Putin insisted that these fighters served no official purpose and were only there to support private “oil exploration” efforts. These mercenaries belong to the shadowy Wagner Group, an organization with links to alleged 2016 election meddler Yevgeny Prigozhin. Moreover, …

Faces in the Crowd: Profiling Afghanistan and Iraq Contractors

Faces in the Crowd: Profiling Afghanistan and Iraq Contractors

America has been engaged in these Southwest Asia wars since shortly after 9/11, and contractors have long played a key role in these conflicts. Until now, little has been known about the men and women who fought and died here. Many details are still unavailable, largely due to proprietary and security concerns. So, to get a better idea of who …

U.N. Report Sheds New Light on 2018 La Saline Massacre

U.N. Report Sheds New Light on 2018 La Saline Massacre

After continued government inaction, the United Nations released a report which blamed police and government officials in Haiti for the massacre which killed about two dozen people. About 5,000 people live in the La Saline neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. This sector is known for violent gang activity. In November 2018, according to the U.N. report, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) …

Top Five Private Military Contractor Occupational Diseases

Top Five Private Military Contractor Occupational Diseases

Gunshot wounds, falls, and other sudden trauma injuries make up most of the contractor injuries in places like Iraq. However, some contractor injuries occur slowly over time. These creeping illnesses are just as devastating as sudden trauma injuries. So, injury compensation is available in both cases. The Defense Base Act provides compensation to most contractors who were injured overseas. Even …

Is Africa the Next Frontier for Private Military Contractors?

Is Africa the Next Frontier for Private Military Contractors?

Russian mercenaries are reportedly already boots-on-the-ground in the Central African Republic. Can American contractors be far behind? According to sources, Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin agreed to help embattled CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera assert greater control over the country. This assistance included not only mercenaries, but also Valery Zakahrov. The CAR’s national security advisor is supposedly a Russian intelligence agent. Meanwhile, …