June 07, 2010
Contracting In Conflicts: The Path to Reform
In both Iraq and Afghanistan today there are more private contractors than U.S. troops on the ground. This exploding reliance on contractors costs U.S. taxpayers tens of billions of dollars and has grown with inadequate government oversight. This report - authored by Richard Fontaine and John Nagl - details the urgent need for comprehensive reform. The United States must embark on a path of ambitious reform that will require: new laws and regulations; an expansion of the government’s contracting workforce; a coordination mechanism within the executive branch; greater scrutiny, more transparency and clearer standards for private contractors; a strategic view of the roles contractors play in American operations; and a change in culture within the government.
Authors
-
John A. Nagl
Member, CNAS Board of Advisors, Associate Professor of Warfighting Studies at U.S. Army War College
Dr. John Nagl is the ninth Headmaster of The Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania and a member of the Board of Advisors at the Center for a New American Security. He wa...
-
Richard Fontaine
Chief Executive Officer
Richard Fontaine is the Chief Executive Officer of CNAS. He served as President of CNAS from 2012–19 and as Senior Fellow from 2009–12. Prior to CNAS, he was foreign policy ad...
More from CNAS
-
Contracting in Combat Zones: Who Are Our Subcontractors?
CNAS Senior Fellow Richard Fontaine testified on the problems associated with contracting in conflicts and areas for reform before the U.S. Congressional Committee on Oversigh...
By Richard Fontaine
-
Are Private Security Contractors Performing Inherently Governmental Functions?
CNAS President Dr. John Nagl testified before the federal Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan on the proper role and oversight of security contractors su...
By John A. Nagl
-
Contractors in American Conflicts: Adapting to a New Reality
When our nation goes to war, contractors go with it. This working paper explores the problems posed by the increased reliance of contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq, including...
By John A. Nagl & Richard Fontaine
-
Flag on the Bag? Branding Foreign Assistance and the Struggle Against Violent Extremism
CNAS Vice President for Studies Dr. Kristin Lord testified before the House Armed Services Committee on whether the branding of U.S. foreign assistance has the potential to pu...
By Kristin M. Lord