Cross-posted at Political Cortex
Facing mounting opposition to the War at home and Iraqi requests for a timetable for a draw-down of US forces, Pentagon and Administration officials have begun to float the idea that it might be time to start turning the debacle over to the Iraqis. Lately reports of both US and British troop reductions have appeared in the press. Iraqi President Talabani recently stated that British troops could leave by the end of 2006 and that the Iraqis should be ready to take over in the southern provinces around Basra by that time. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Chalabi has echoed the same sentiment in regards to US troops.
It would appear from these reports that the training of Iraqi forces has been far more successful then we had previously believed.
Perhaps, as has been par for the course with this administration, there’s something they have neglected to tell us.
What could possibly have changed the situation on the ground so drastically? In one word: Blackwater.
With talk of possibly cutting our forces by 50,000 to 60,000 by the end of next year, it’s interesting to note that Blackwater Security is in the mist of a massive recruiting campaign for what they call “a multi-phase, multi-year contract in Iraq”
In its October 2005 e-mail newsletter “Blackwater Tactical Weekly” (archived here), Blackwater listed job opportunities in Iraq for a number of positions ranging from trainers and Coordination Officers who would “serve as the primary liaison between Iraqi officials, Coalition Forces, and US Government officials.” to Project Managers with “15-20 years supervisory operational experience.”
A careful reading of the job descriptions and requirements reveals just how large this program might turn out to be. Blackwater is looking for:
“highly qualified, subject matter experts for several overseas opportunities. Applicants for the following positions:
- Must be US Citizens
- Have a current security clearance
- Must have extensive experience in high-threat environments in such countries as Iraq and Afghanistan”
VIP Protection Trainers
Blackwater USA is looking for highly qualified, subject matter advisors and trainers to assist in the training of Iraqi security personnel. Individuals will be expected to liaison between Iraqi, Coalition, and US government officials. General Requirements:
- Must have a valid U. S. Passport
- Must be in good health and able to travel overseas
- Former/retired US Department of State diplomatic Security Services; or
- Former/retired US Secret Service or equivalent
- Must have a minimum of three (3) years of working high level, high threat, and overseas protection detail assignments
Training Department Head
Blackwater USA is seeking a highly qualified manager to oversee training being conducted in Iraq. This manager will be responsible for a wide spectrum of financial and logistic reporting as well ensure that the training is being conducted as required by the contract. This position will support a multi-phase, multi-year contract in Iraq. General Requirements:
- Must have a valid U. S. Passport
- Must be in good health and able to travel overseas
- Must have a minimum of three (3) years of working high level, high threat, and overseas protection detail assignments
- Must have experience in leading and managing a training cadre of highly specialized trainers and advisors
Coordination Officer
The Coordination Officer will serve as the primary liaison between Iraqi officials, Coalition Forces, and US Government officials. This individual will fill a key position that will be critical to the transition of management of training and camp programs to the Iraqi government. General Requirements:
- Must have a valid U. S. Passport
- Must be in good health and able to travel overseas
- Must have served in a leadership position for five (5) years as member of a military or police special operations · Must have excellent command of the Arabic Language
- Must have at least three years experience of working with both Military and Department of State in special police and protective service operations
Program Manager
An experienced Program Manager to oversee a complex and intensive training contract in Iraq. The Program Manager will be responsible for a large cadre of instructors, Iraqi students, and base support operations.
General Requirements:
- Must have 15-20 years supervisory operational experience and training in Military and/or Police special operations
- Must be in good physical health
- Availability to work overseas for extended periods of time
With extensive backgrounds in both the military and State Dept. required by some of these jobs it appears that Blackwater will be taking on a much more expanded roll in the “transition period”. To my eye it appears that they will be setting up a quasi, shadow diplomatic corps, along with having a larger military presence in Iraq.
The outsourcing and privatization of military functions has long been a cornerstone of the Cheney/Rumsfeld doctrine. It now appears that they will be taking it one step further. As US troops are marched out the front door of Iraq to quell discontent at home and abroad, our new privately owned army will be sneaking through backdoor.
Update [2005-11-27 18:58:16 by Duke1676]:
This just in:
‘Trophy’ video exposes private security contractors shooting up Iraqi driversA “trophy” video appearing to show security guards in Baghdad randomly shooting Iraqi civilians has sparked two investigations after it was posted on the internet, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
-snip-
The video, which first appeared on a website that has been linked unofficially to Aegis Defence Services, contained four separate clips, in which security guards open fire with automatic rifles at civilian cars. All of the shooting incidents apparently took place on “route Irish”, a road that links the airport to Baghdad.
-snip-
In one of the videoed attacks, a Mercedes is fired on at a distance of several hundred yards before it crashes in to a civilian taxi. In the last clip, a white civilian car is raked with machine gun fire as it approaches an unidentified security company vehicle. Bullets can be seen hitting the vehicle before it comes to a slow stop.
There are no clues as to the shooter but either a Scottish or Irish accent can be heard in at least one of the clips above Elvis Presley’s Mystery Train, the music which accompanies the video.
It looks like some of our worst fears are being confirmed.
( Additional research provided by The IraqFact Working Group:nydem25)