Licensed to Kill: Hired Guns in the War on Terror

Book is in good condition! There is only light wear from use. The pages are clean with no marks.

Robert Young Pelton was initially introduced to the concept of hired military personnel in the War on Terror when he encountered a clandestine team of contractors on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan in late 2003. Pelton subsequently embarked on a global journey to delve into and comprehend this enigmatic realm, ultimately providing astounding insights into the utilization of private soldiers. Delve into a world saturated with violence, involving South African mercenaries and tribal fighters supported by ruthless financiers. Immerse yourself in Baghdad's Green Zone, don body armor, and experience the daily high-speed journeys undertaken by a doomed crew of security contractors who navigate through car bombings and sniper attacks simply to escort their charges to the airport. Pause for a drink in an upscale hotel bar alongside affluent owners of private armies who debate the most effective means of survival in war zones. "Licensed to Kill" traverses four continents and three years, offering an intimate glimpse into the CIA's covert operations, the brutal murders of contractors in Fallujah, and the Alamo-like sieges in Najaf and Al Kut. Explore the training camps in the southern United States where former Special Operations soldiers and even small-town police officers develop the necessary skills. Attend contractor conventions, where macho participants exchange tales punctuated by bullets and discuss upcoming assignments. Lastly, witness the grim reality of a Central African prison, where failed mercenaries-turned-contractors pay a steep price for their actions. It is noteworthy that the United States has encouraged the involvement of the private sector across all aspects of the War on Terror, thereby placing contractors beyond the reach of functional legal restraints. Through meticulous firsthand observations, "Licensed to Kill" rigorously dissects the most controversial events and introduces the key individuals involved. Most disconcertingly, it reveals that there are indeed thousands of contractors, with hundreds more being produced monthly, who have been granted the authority to take lives, their services available to the highest bidder.

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