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The use of contractors to support international policies overseas is not a recent phenomenon. However, increased reliance on the private sector to operate in roles traditionally carried out by government and the military in Afghanistan and Iraq has created apprehension in some academic and policy circles. This essay provides an overview of the modern use of contractors by looking at the different roles that contractors play in support of U.S. foreign policy—such as the contentious use of private security companies (PSCs) in Iraq and Afghanistan, security sector reform in post-conflict nations, logistics and camp servicing for the all-volunteer U.S. military, and rule of law consulting and development aid delivery. It will then address a number of concerns that have been raised in the academic and policy communities. Much of the existing literature demonstrates a failed understanding or ideologically driven interpretation of the role and incentives of the private sector, contributing to a flawed analysis from critics. Contractors do not lead; they follow. They do not create policy, but they are critical to implementing important aspects of it, as outlined in comprehensive contracts designed and guided by governments or international organizations. Finally, this article will address the issue of extraterritorial accountability, discussing domestic and international legal frameworks and arguing that the stability operations industry benefits from effective legal frameworks.
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