This book examines the controversial role of military contractors in the reconstruction of Iraq. When "Operation Iraqi Freedom" was launched in March 2003, few, if any, of the Coalition's political leaders could have envisaged that within a few months the number of private contractors engaged to keep the troops supplied would exceed their actual combat strength. This alternative "army" was not only to become the largest assemblage of contractors in living memory to accompany a miltiary force into a war zone, but was also responsible for a fundamental transformation of how military logistics were delivered.

The role of mercenaries and contractors in supplying war -- Contractors and the consequence of political mismanagement of the Iraq invasion -- Contractorising war : the US government's reliance on contractors in Iraq -- Strategic contracting and contractors in the reconstruction of Iraq -- Outsourcing war : the use of contractors in support of the UK operation in Iraq -- Armed contractors operate with impunity : a gap in the law or a lack of political will and resources to enforce jurisdiction?