Peter W. Singer, Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry (Cornell Studies in Security Affairs)

I wrote this review last year for my Introduction to Security Studies course. Looking back on it, it's a little more stilted that I'd like it to be, but the word count limits for the assignment were pretty brutal as I recall. Right now I have to be reading up on Japanese defense policy post-9/11 (the consensus so far, it must be said, does not look so great for Kerry's grand-alliance-against-terror plans, at least where Japanese participation is concerned) so an updating of the older review probably won't be forthcoming any time soon... the book itself was quite good, and I'd really recommend you read it over my review, if you have the chance.

For more cogent and current thoughts on the role of private military firms (PMFs) in our current operations in Iraq, check out Phil Carter's reaction to an LA Times Sunday op-ed by Hallburton chief exec David Lesar.
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