Agenda PMCs: Facts and Figures Questioning PMCs: Abu Ghraib and the Nisour Square Massacre Implementing the Montreux Document: Iraq and the USA Defining State Legitimacy: Peter Fabienne Summary of Findings Final Conclusion

PMCs: Facts and Figures EU origins and US (in)famy Iraq and Afghanistan Tasks vs protection, armed security Source: International Code of Conduct Association

Questioning PMCs: Abu Ghraib and Nisour Square Source: Al Jazeera; Soldier Systems

Abu Ghraib Abuse Scandals (2003) Closed 2014 Abuses: March-late 2003 2004: Media reaction united: shock and outrage Focus on PMCs vs military staff Rumsfeld: 37 private contractors at Abu Ghraib Source: http://w0.fast-meteo.com/locationmaps/Abu-Ghurayb.10.gif

CACI and Abu Ghraib Supplied 30 interrogators Cold war: weapons contracts Post-CW: IT and tech support Intelligence gathering (opened and closed) Vague ‘human intelligence’ contracts Source: https://www.marketbeat.com/logos/caci-international-inc-logo.jpg

Titan Inc and Abu Ghraib IT systems, related services Post-Abu Ghraib: U.S. govt contracts for 4500 translators Lockheed Martin merger and denial Source: Democracy Now

Blackwater and Nisour Square (2007) Nisour Square, Baghdad Blackwater accused (and found guilty of) opening fire on 17 civilians Abu Ghraib and NS Diff: only contractors involved Lack of legal closure Source: Wired

Blackwater and Nisour Square (2007) Source: New York Times

Blackwater and Nisour Square (2007) Public/media reaction vs US investigation 2009: Case dismissed due to ‘tampered evidence’ Iraq: Expired License withdrawn Rise of PMC criticism PMC Lit: Intl Law vs PMC Specific Norms (EL Gaston) Industry, Govt and Civil Society

Implementing the Montreux Document: Iraq and the USA Source: Reddit; Swiss Confederation

Implementing the Montreux Document MD Main elements: Determination of permitted tasks Effective PMC Vetting, Licensing and Contracting Accountability and Oversight

USA MD voluntary reminder of Intl Law, IHL norms Restating state responsibilities to control PMCs US important as both Home and Contracting State (explain) Iraq and Afghan: 160 bill USD of contracts (2007-12) Vs myriad regulation, MEJA and others and lack of prosecution Source: LINC

Iraq Territorial State 2003 onward: increasing PMCs= increasing need for regulation Political instability vs PMC political involvement (tribes) Iraqi Oil Law and Energy Sector MD global coordination lacking (Home-Territorial) Source: Encyclopedia of Safety

Defining State Legitimacy Peter, Fabienne: Social contract between state and citizens Social contract consists of: Consent to be Ruled Beneficial Consequences Democratic Approval Will PMCs fit all or some of these? Source: Sprout Distro

Summary of Findings What is the public perception of State-PMC nexus? Media rhetoric from Arab, British and US discourse regarding Abu Ghraib and Nisour Square Nisour Square: Arab and Brit: PMCs labelled as security firms (PMC self-rhetoric) but in negative contexts CNN: PMCs partially labelled as ‘military’

Summary of Findings Abu Ghraib: Consistent labelling across all media outlets of CACI and Titan as corporations or contractors (not PMCs) US corporations/contractors-strong State-Corporate nexus US Corporations in negative light VS BBC anomaly: CACI as Defence Contractor (post Abu Ghraib settlement) State vs corporate responsibility

Conclusion PMCs may construct themselves as defensive or protective (military vs security company) This image and legitimacy can be quickly revoked by any wrongdoing. In such cases, public expectations turn to state (and state legitimacy). State legitimacy less contingent upon outsourcing, more about state’s ability to ‘discipline’ PMCs, provide legal remedy However, a company may regain legitimacy through own remediation (settlement vs admission of guilt)

Thank you  https://www.facebook.com/Nicolai-Due-Gundersen-245456712183055/?fref=ts Nicolai.due.gundersen@gmail.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/DueGunderse Source: Intersentia