September 17, 2017
Here's How Private Contractors Can Help Win the Afghan War
The president has declared a “path forward” for Afghanistan. Given that the United States is at a nexus for strategic change, might there be an increased role for private contractors in positions previously held by U.S. troops? A proposal from Erik Prince, formerly the head of Blackwater Worldwide, claims that with the use of his “corporate warriors” he can end the war in Afghanistan. Can it work? History suggests that it can. But to be successful, it would require a level of commitment and integration not yet demonstrated. It also relies upon the imperatives of capability, capacity and efficiency, as well as the effectiveness of those chosen to perform the task that the U.S. military has been unable to accomplish: winning the war. First, though, there must be a real understanding of what private security contractors (PSCs) actually do, and how they can and will be held accountable for their actions.
Read the full op-ed in The National Interest.
More from CNAS
-
Facing a Humanitarian Crisis and Renewed Terror Threat in Afghanistan
Podcast
Financial Crime Matters talks with Alex Zerden about his time as Treasury attaché at the United States Embassy in Kabul, the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and t...
By Alex Zerden
-
Lessons From Iraq, Afghanistan: Why The U.S. Got It So Wrong
Video
Retired U.S. Army colonel Christopher D. Kolenda in conversation with StratNews Global Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale about his just launched book ‘Zero-Sum Victory: What We...
By Christopher D. Kolenda
-
Economic Crisis in Afghanistan
Podcast
Alex Zerden, founder and principal of Capitol Peak Strategies discusses the economic crisis in Afghanistan. He spoke with Bloomberg's David Westin. Listen to the full convers...
By Alex Zerden
-
Dealing with Afghanistan Under the Taliban
Video
CEO of the Center for a New American Security Richard Fontaine shares his take on the future of Afghanistan under the Taliban with NHK-World Japan.Watch the full conversation ...
By Richard Fontaine
