Suchergebnisse

Mercenaries are as old as war itself. Over the centuries, mercenary troops have taken part in countless conflicts, often tipping the balance in their paymaster's favor. The emergence of national armies during the 17th century, followed by the split of the world into East and West blocs in the 20th century, saw these types of forces increasingly sidelined. However, since the break-up of the Soviet empire, mercenary troops have resumed an important role on the international stage. Today known as "Private Military Companies", mercenaries have been used to fight rebel guerrilla factions, for instance in Angola and Sierra Leone in the 1990s. They are currently deployed to back up expeditionary forces in war zones, including Afghanistan and Iraq, and others are employed to protect ships through pirate-infested waters. Nevertheless, the growing use of mercenary contractors raises numerous questions. Isn't there a certain risk involved in granting more and more responsibility to organizations whose principal aim is to make money? Adapted from the source document.