Mercenary Immunity In Iraq May End
The longstanding legal immunity for private military contractors working in Iraq could soon be a thing of the past. A new arrangement, set for a vote in the Iraqi parliament next week, will grant Iraqi jurisdiction over American companies working for the Departments of State and Defense. Contractors, “such as Blackwater, DynCorp International LLC and Triple Canopy,” will face new legal scrutiny as they are held accountable to local courts for the first time. The increase in accountability comes in sync with a new military agreement between American forces and the Iraqi government, alongside a likely drawdown of US troops pending the new Obama administration.
Zack Freundlich
