6 chapters across the catalog
Blackwater Name Change, Xe Services and SEO Strategy
John C. Dvorak recounts a conversation with a hedge fund investor regarding the private military company Blackwater, now known as Xe Services. The investor claims the name change to "Xe" was a deliberate search engine optimization (SEO) strategy intended to make the company harder to find in search results. The discussion also touches on the company's alleged activities in Pakistan.
Eric Prince CNBC Interview, Private Sector Military Efficiency
In a July 2010 CNBC interview, Blackwater founder Eric Prince discusses the sale of his company and the logistical challenges of the war in Afghanistan. Prince argues that the U.S. must rely on private sector efficiency to sustain military operations and criticizes the "proctology exam" his company faced from Congress and military lawyers.
Blackwater Fraud Allegations, Prostitutes and Barbecue Pits
Two whistleblowers have accused Blackwater (now Xe Services) of defrauding the U.S. government by billing for unauthorized expenses, including a prostitute in Kabul and a barbecue pit. The court papers allege the company generated false invoices for travel and categorized illicit expenses as "morale welfare recreation." The hosts question the culture of corruption within private security contractors.
Corporate Accountability, Blackwater, and Aviation Contracts
The lack of criminal prosecution for corporations is contrasted with the harsh treatment of individuals, with the hosts suggesting that entire boards of directors should face prison for corporate fraud. Meanwhile, Xe Services (formerly Blackwater) is reportedly bidding on a $1 billion Pentagon contract for aviation services in Afghanistan. The hosts characterize the company's rebranding as a persistent "money grab."
Triple Canopy, Blackwater Replacement in Iraq
Triple Canopy, a Chicago-based security firm, is set to take over the State Department's security contract in Iraq from Xe Services (formerly Blackwater). The company's website lists services including homeland defense, crisis management, and security analysis. The hosts mock the corporate branding and the transition of private military contractors into "consultant" roles.
Blackwater Rebranding, XE Services Name Change
Private security firm Blackwater has rebranded itself as XE Services (pronounced "Z"). The name change is characterized as an attempt to distance the company from the "bad mojo" associated with the Blackwater brand, though the new name is jokingly compared to Zoroastrian gods or noble gases.
