US Government Outsourcing, the Private Military Industry, and Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Case Study in Conflict Contracting

Abstract

This thesis analyzes state utilization of private military and security companies (PMSC), using United States Government (USG) outsourcing during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) as a case study to investigate how PMSCs influence interstate conflicts. Cost savings are a primary justification for outsourcing. Government sources also suggest wartime outsourcing increases military effectiveness. This thesis investigates whether PMSC activities in Iraq have delivered such monetary savings and operational enhancements. Whether wartime contracting impacts waste, fraud, and corruption in the conflict and post conflict environment, particularly in the case of OIF, is also analyzed.