Topic: Private Military Companies

Arrested US official Raymond Allen Davis is actually CIA contractor

American Raymond Allen Davis, jailed in Pakistan for the fatal shooting of two armed men, was secretly working for the CIA, a disclosure likely to further frustrate US efforts to free the man and strain relations between two countries partnered in a fragile alliance in the war on terror.

Interview with Kathryn Bolkovac, author of "The Whistleblower"

Kathryn Bolkovac talks about sex trafficking, military contractors, and her book "The Whistleblower."

WikiLeaks: Five more of the strangest stories to emerge

The WikiLeaks keep dripping out. Here are five more of the oddest stories that we've spotted so far.

Top 5 high-profile captures by Somali pirates

After 388 days as prisoners of Somali pirates, Paul and Rachel Chandler were released on Sunday. Read about the Chandlers' ordeal and other high-profile captures in this list.

Iraq's Maliki says Wikileaks documents could be used in court

But ordinary Iraqis didn't seem to immediately grasp that the 400,000 Wikileaks documents could provide details on the deaths of thousands of people.

Afghanistan: Pentagon contractors entwined with 'pro-Taliban' warlords

A Senate investigation finds that Pentagon contractors in Afghanistan are inadvertently helping the Taliban and becoming ensnared in the turf wars of local warlords.

Afghanstan war: Convoy security deal to benefit Karzai's brother?

An Afghan private contractor in Kandahar, with close ties to Karzai's brother, is up for a contract to protect supply convoys for US troops in the Afghanistan war.

Blackwater fallout: Senate moves to rein in military contractors

The Senate holds a hearing Wednesday on ways to improve oversight of private military contractors, after a series of incidents involving Blackwater. On Tuesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would stop 'outsourcing' security missions.

When things go boom in the night, Pakistanis blame Blackwater

The US says it doesn't work with the security firm Blackwater in Pakistan, and the Pakistani government insists no Blackwater employees are working in the country. But many Pakistanis doubt those assertions, complicating US efforts to build trust.

Kidnapping of American in Iraq sparked by faltering reconciliation talks

The kidnapping of an Iraqi-American working with the US military in Iraq appears to have been sparked by a faltering reconciliation effort to bring a militant Shiite group into the political process, US officials say.

Blackwater security contractors ordered out of Iraq

Iraq has ordered more than 200 current and former employees of the private security company Blackwater, who still play a role in guarding US diplomats, to leave the country within the next four days.

How does Simon Mann stack up among Africa's white mercenaries?

Simon Mann, a British mercenary sentenced for a coup plot against Equatorial Guinea, was pardoned on Tuesday. How does he compare with Africa's other 'Dogs of War?'

Contractors in Kabul accused of 'lewd and deviant behavior'

Security guards at the US Embassy in Afghanistan indulged in hazing and nudity, the Project on Government Oversight says. It calls for Pentagon oversight.

Reports: CIA hired Blackwater to help assassinate terrorists

The agency employed the controversial firm to assist with 'planning, training, and surveillance' – and possibly to kill and capture – Al Qaeda operatives, according to news reports.

With piracy odds in their favor, ships shun armed guards

The small number of successful pirate attacks, an increase in military patrols, and legal concerns have kept many firms from hiring security.

Americans' lasting mark on Iraq: colorful, complex tattoos

Popular designs include tigers, dragons, and swords, although overt displays of the body art remain somewhat taboo.

USA

Five Blackwater guards to face Washington jury on Baghdad manslaughter charges

None of the Iraqis killed in Nisoor Square on Sept. 16, 2007, was armed.

Record number of US contractors in Iraq

Some 190,000 private personnel were working in the Iraq theater as of early this year, a new report says.

Private security contractors look to Africa for recruits

Namibia kicked out two top officials of an international private security firm this fall amid claims the firm was recruiting fighters to work in Iraq and Afghanistan.