US has spent at least $6 billion on Blackwater and other security contractors in Iraq
Security Management
The United States has spent at least $6 billion on private security contractors (PSCs), like Blackwater USA, in Iraq since the war began in April 2003, according to a report released today by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR).
PSCs in Iraq provide various security services such as protecting diplomats, guarding U.S. convoys and military installations, and defending other contractors and subcontractors helping the U.S. mission in Iraq.
According to the report:
The role of private security contractors in Iraq remains controversial. A new SIGIR review lists more than 300 companies that have provided security services in Iraq at a cost of about $6 billion. The difficulty SIGIR encountered in accomplishing this review underscores the need to implement better systems for tracking security costs.