5 chapters across the catalog
Special Operations in Syria, Hillary Clinton Combat Claims
Hillary Clinton is questioned about the deployment of Special Operations forces to Syria and Iraq despite her pledge not to send "combat troops." The hosts discuss the death of a Delta Force member and suggest that the government may be using mercenaries or private contractors to skirt public definitions of ground combat.
US Embassy in Baghdad and Private Contractors
The US Embassy in Baghdad is described as the world's largest diplomatic mission, roughly the size of the Vatican. As the military withdraws, the State Department is hiring 5,000 private security contractors and maintaining its own air force to protect 16,000 personnel. Peter Van Buren argues this represents a continued civilian occupation of Iraq rather than a true end to the war.
The State Department is reportedly building a 5,500-person private army of contractors to provide security in Iraq. The hosts view this as a shell game where regular troops are replaced by expensive private mercenaries.
Private Contractors and Fast Food Franchises in War Zones
The privatization of military logistics is criticized, with the hosts noting that traditional military "KP duty" has been replaced by expensive private catering contracts. Observations from Iraq include the presence of fully branded Burger King and Pizza Hut franchises in the Green Zone and at Basra airport, contributing to the high cost of the war.
A discussion on the Iraq War surge reveals that while 30,000 U.S. troops were deployed, approximately 70,000 local militias were also hired. Dvorak compares the use of high-paid mercenaries to the tactics of the Roman Empire, noting the lack of military code oversight for these contractors.
