Armies without Flags: The Evolution of US Private Military Firms

Governments in recent years have headed towards a new trend which is that of privatizing military affairs and encouraging private firms to conduct what has inherently been governmental. This study examines the phenomenon of American Private Military firms and their unprecedented growth shaped by the dynamism of the private military market. Private military firms are the subject of an investigation in this article through a historical analytical methodology. The sensitive nature of the functions that are undertaken by these private entities did not push officials to provide enough regulatory options and practice more oversight on the booming business. Wars have always been a pre-requisite for the private military business to prosper; war on terror was very productive. Further, the unconventional forces deployed to help stabilizing regions of conflicts are now committing acts that are condemned by the UN Charter.