Impediments to fighting the Islamic State: private contractors and US strategy

Abstract

The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01402390.2015.1065486 ; The United States has returned to Iraq, this time to combat the Islamic State. President Barack Obama's strategy to 'degrade, and ultimately destroy the terrorist group' faces serious problems due to political obstacles in obtaining Congressional Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) and more importantly because of neglect of the crucial role of private contractors. Although the narrative has changed, and there is no public mention of contractors, they remain central to all that the Department of Defense does in the US and abroad. Suggestions are offered on how their performance can be improved to support President Obama's strategy. ; Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.