Book Spotlight: Private Security Contractors and New Wars: Risk, Law, and Ethics, by Kateri Carmola

Written by political theorist and modern warfare scholar Kateri Carmola, the text Private Security Contractors and New Wars: Risk, Law, and Ethics (2010) analyzes the use of private security forces in today’s conflicts and offers insight into the future of this growing industry and its regulation. Dr. Carmola provides detailed research and investigation into the evolving makeup of modern fighting forces, the development of the private military and security industry, and those companies operating within it. Additionally, she offers an overview of the global changes that result from increased reliance on private military and security companies (PMSCs), such as changing ideas about what it means to be a “soldier”, the insurance industry's reliance on them, and how the conduct of PMSCs can influence public opinion of government.

In the book, Dr. Carmola argues that PMSCs are composed of key players in military organizations, businesses, and humanitarian groups. The extent of their employees’ and subcontractors’ legal liabilites is furthermore a gray area of the law. As a result, regulating and overseeing PMSCs becomes particularly difficult. In addition, she adds, PMSCs have received both widespread criticism and support, which complicates the task of assessing the ethics of their use. 

Look for Private Security Contractors and New Wars: Risk, Law, and Ethics on Amazon.com.