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Afghanistan
Republican Congressman Rohrabacher Backs Plan To Privatize Bulk Of Afghan Endless War
2017-08-09
[Daily Caller] California Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher told The Daily Caller Tuesday that he is supportive of a plan to privatize much of the war in Afghanistan.

Blackwater founder Erik Prince is lobbying the White House to use former special operations troops and a private air force to conduct America’s nearly 16-year long war in Afghanistan. Prince told USA Today Tuesday that this would require 5,500 private military contractors that would be embedded with combat units, unlike American mentors who are currently more distant from the battlefield, as well as a 90-plane strong private air force.

Rep. Rohrabacher called this "exactly the right approach," and told TheDC that Prince’s plan is being considered seriously within the White House. A source familiar with the situation previously told TheDC that the plan was well received by White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, but that national security adviser H.R. McMaster would rather incorporate conventional military forces to solve the conflict.

"A big problem of course is that the military hates anybody that is not under their command going into a combat area and involving themselves in combat activities," Rohrabacher, a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said.
Posted by:Besoeker

#16  Dusting the poppy crops with VX would be a more permanent solution.
Posted by: Silentbrick   2017-08-09 21:31  

#15  That's the idea, grom
Posted by: newc   2017-08-09 18:40  

#14  Then, why have boots on the ground?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2017-08-09 16:19  

#13  And what is to keep these mercenaries from becoming the new warlords and enforcers of a narco state?

"aerial herbicide dusting and confiscation of land used for poppy production"
Posted by: Skidmark   2017-08-09 16:12  

#12  The Axis Of Adults Focus On Afghanistan And May Be Entertaining A Solid Original Plan
Posted by: newc   2017-08-09 14:06  

#11  The mercenary captains are either capable men or they are not; if they are, you cannot trust them, because they always aspire to their own greatness, either by oppressing you, who are their master, or others contrary to your intentions; but if the captain is not skilful, you are ruined in the usual way.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2017-08-09 12:15  

#10  Hmmmm...Gius Marius to the courtesy phone. A legion that owes its allegiance to it paymaster not the state (particularly one that treats its soldiers and veterans with little practical respect).
Posted by: Procopius2k   2017-08-09 11:20  

#9  Who is issuing the Letters of marque and reprisal for this activity?
Posted by: AlanC   2017-08-09 11:03  

#8  Private warring for profit is pure evil.
Posted by: Threatch Jeamp8135   2017-08-09 10:57  

#7  And what is to keep these mercenaries from becoming the new warlords and enforcers of a narco state?
Posted by: DarthVader   2017-08-09 10:25  

#6  A big problem has to do with the current culture.

We've culture? I thought we've a breakdown of one.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2017-08-09 08:00  

#5  A big problem has to do with the current culture.

War fighting tends to be a very messy, bloody, nasty undertaking. One of the key questions is "Whom is accountable?"

Never wore the suit but know people that have and when things goes pear shaped there is a clear line of responsibility / authority. Perfect no but pretty clear. Who will get shot when the first atrocity is alleged? How many lawyers will be required for the forces deployed?
Posted by: AlanC   2017-08-09 07:58  

#4  Would Prince's outlined effort do the job? There have been successful mercenary efforts in the past.

Not in Afghanistan
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2017-08-09 07:49  

#3  Would Prince's outlined effort do the job? There have been successful mercenary efforts in the past. Posted by JohnQC

Good question John. History would tell us any measure of success would be quite difficult.
Posted by: Besoeker   2017-08-09 07:08  

#2  Prince said the plan will cost less than $10 billion a year, significantly lower than the more than $40 billion the Pentagon has budgeted this year....would require 5,500 private military contractors that would be embedded with combat units, unlike American mentors who are currently more distant from the battlefield, as well as a 90-plane strong private air force.


Would Prince's outlined effort do the job? There have been successful mercenary efforts in the past.
Posted by: JohnQC   2017-08-09 06:53  

#1  "A big problem of course is that the military hates anybody that is not under their command going into a combat area and involving themselves in combat activities,"

Well yes! Since the military is (at least for now) ultimately in charge of outcomes on the ground, it's not at all difficult to understand their reluctance.

The greater schism is not btwn the military and contractor world, it's btwn the big green Army and Special Operations Forces (SOF) who are budged separately from the Army take their 'stick and rudder' from Foggy Bottom and Other Gov't Agencies (OGA).

SOF is stretched painfully thin and needs sustained augmentation. SOF and their masters would rather take the funding and purchase their own augmentation than involve the Department of Defense (DOD).

Once again, 'follow the money.'
Posted by: Besoeker   2017-08-09 03:40  

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