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Monitoring Private Military Activities

In some countries, private contractors have been used for long to complement the state’s military capabilities. During the last decade, however, the number and scope of private entities directly involved in military related activities has dramatically increased, leading to new opportunities and risks.

The project examines the role of private military companies in international security, with the main focus laying on activities, networks and interests. Military downsizing after the end of the Cold War and reductions of military aid for the developing world have increased both, supply and demand in the market for military services. During the 1990ies, this boom was further stimulated by the reluctance of western countries to direct intervention in numerous crises around the globe. In the context of the “War against Terrorism”, private military companies substantially contributes to US foreign military activities, becoming an more and more indispensable element of US military capabilities.
Based on extensive research an academic as well as practical understanding of the field has already been established. Providing policy-makers with insides on different regulatory regimes and options and risks is one mayor objective of the project. Setting up and maintaining a structured database on private military companies, their activities, partners and personnel and following the regulatory developments are among the practical concerns of the project.

For more information contact the project leader: Gregor Giersch