Iraqi forces weakened by private U.S. contractors?

One thing Col. Towery is leaving out of his model is the difference in the rules of engagement between the U.S. military and private contractors. The U.S. military is subject to the UCMJ and congressional oversight by the likes of Kennedy, Murtha, Durbin and public MoveOn.org. Private contractors are subject to their contracts under the state department and the scrutiny of the media. If we leave, they will probably fall under Iraqi law which means western contractors could be used as mercernaries of the Iraqi government or vulnerable to the shifting cultural and political influences in the region. Either way the colonel is right, we need to get them out if they are not directly under the control of the state department.

First, Col Towery's paper was published in March 2006, and he probably began writing it 6 months prior to that date. The information, assumptions, and conclusions are approximately 2.5 years old and more importantly, out of context. Second, the issue of US PSCs and other US contractors will be addressed in future US/Iraqi bi-lateral security agreements; negotiations are already underway. Last, it is highly unlikely the Iraqi government will allow foreign security contractors to operate in Iraq without strict controls executed via the Ministries of Interior and Defense, the Iraq National Intelligence Service, and the Prime Minister's Office. The dominant paramilitary organizations already exist in Iraq, including Jaysh Al-Mahdi and the Badr Corps, via the Iraq Army. Foreign PSCs may exist in Iraq after Coalition Force withdrawal; however they will probably not present a legitimate threat to the security or stability of Iraq.

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The State Department does not have a satisfactory record to be controlling the rules of engagement for contractors.