The United States has gone further than any country in the "privatization of security". Other countries may find the economic or financial logic in the use of contractors persuasive. The US experience with contracting out security, particularly in Iraq, was problematic, and can serve as a cautionary tale in order that other countries might learn how to avoid the pitfalls.
Iraq; privatization; security; USA
| Efficiency | Control | Effectiveness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil-military relations | Monitoring and oversight by full spectrum of institutional mechanisms | Control exercised by full spectrum of institutions, oversight mechanisms, and professional education | Problematic due to lack of strategy and weakness of interagency institutions |
| Private security contractors | Same as above | Minimal control due to uncertain concept of inherently governmental functions and sketchy legal controls | Problematic due to lack of doctrine to include PSCs and absence or shortage of contracting officers and CORs |
