Why State?
Josh asks "why State?" of all departments, has such a fondness for contractors in general and Blackwater in particular. I’ve got two suggestions, one based on reality and one on my tinfoil hat.
First, if you look back at the battle between DOD and State in 2003–in which Bush had officially sided with Colin Powell on the approach to reconstruct Iraq, but in which DOD and OVP managed to at least undermine Powell’s best efforts and in key ways to completely defeat it, it becomes clear the degree to which DOD and OVP were using military resources to win bureaucratic battles. This was most notable in the way DOD ferried Ahmed Chalabi around Iraq, always swooping him into place just before an official State event designed to build some kind of consensus on the ground involving all sectors of Iraqi society. Because DOD controlled all the logistics in the country, they could always present State with a fait accompli every time State initiated efforts to build more lasting institutions.
The contracts with Blackwater started ballooning in mid-2004, and had most of their growth while Condi was Secretary of State. It seems clear that, by 2004, it was crystal clear that State could get nothing done–not even uncontested reconstruction activities–without their own army so they could match the logistical flexibility of DOD.
So that’s my real reason. But there’s another thing I’ve kept in mind for a while. The fabulous melting embassy in Iraq–owned by State–is alleged to be slotted for hundreds and hundreds of intelligence personnel. Given the degree to which we’ve outsourced our intelligence functions, is it remotely possible that some of what we’re seeing Blackwater do in the name of State is actually servicing the spooks in Iraq, who also use their services? I don’t know the answer to this one–it’s just speculation. But it has been lurking in my brain for some time.
Of course, sometimes reality and tinfoil are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
.
I have thought that OVP and DoD were collaborating to advance the Make-War-Happen Agenda ever since DIA produced the Mar 8, 2003, one-of-a-kind â€Wilson’s Report Supports the Uranium Claim†Dis-information Memo to ’neutralize’ the Trip Report.
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/009770.php
My hope is that OVP was merely able to ’twist’ some DIA arms (where was Rummy in all this?) to get only that single Odd Duck Memo, versus having open access to use DIA as Disinformation Central for Political Gain.
The Secretary of State is 4th in line to the throne. She’s probably seen the shadow government organizational chart (The one they won’t show the Congressional leaders). Having her own personal army could be necessary if Cheney declares martial law *or* if he dies despite having a hazmat suit at hand *or* if he decides to put somebody more submissive in her job.
Mercenaries serve whomever holds the contract, legal or not. They’re only loyal to the paycheck. State has given Blackwater political shelter as well as a ton of money.
When Bush last dropped into Iraq, it was to the military base in al-Anbar rather than the Green Zone. Was it to avoid having to rely upon Condi’s mercenaries for escort from the airport? If Ambassador Crocker arrives for a meeting guarded by mercenaries and Bush arrives guarded by army grunts, will there be a photo op showing all that brotherly love?
I need to put a little more thought into how this fits into the equation, but the Bureau of Diplomatic Security used to do all of this kind of work, and had one of the best counterterrorist units in the US. For whatever reason, these folks have been being fired and replaced with either private contractors (like Blackwater) or foreign nationals. Truthout reporter William Fisher did a an interesting article on this a few months ago:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062407A.shtml
Additionally, maybe they ARE, to a significant extent, the spooks in Iraq for State. Blackwater, a one stop military/industrial/intelligence shop for State, who can no longer rely on DOD and other Cheney influenced agencies. State has made noise about phasing Blackwater out; it will be interesting to see if they actually do, and if so, if it is a sham change the logo kind of deal or transfer to another entity or whatever.
EW, are you suggesting that State is using Blackwater as an intelligence operation? That would certainly explain Cofer Black’s participation in Blackwater. That has always seemed a bit odd to me, that Black would move to an organization concerned solely with bodyguard details.
So, is Blackwater a CIA proprietary?
lizard
I’m not sure I’d go that far. But Blackwater has gotten CIA business.
Not tinfoil at all. Several early stories on the Nisour Square shooting referred to the State and CIA contracts.
One of the big problems has been that spooks have been stuck in the green zone, unable to go out and pretend to do something productive and engaging while really trying to gather intel. So I imagine ferrying â€electricity consultants†and â€education advisors†is a substantial part of the Blackwater job.
They’re not exactly invisible, but on the other hand they’re not easy to take out. I can’t imagine the Iraqis at the other end of these journeys are fooled for two minutes, either.
It’s so many kinds of FUBAR I stopped counting in 2005.
EW, I think with Cofer Black’s history and the close association between the CIA and American Special Forces (from whence Blackwater’s CEO Prince hails)it is a good bet that Blackwater is Spook Central in Iraq. I wonder if there is a legal framework in place that allows private contractors to manage CIA â€assets†in Iraq.
Iran Contra, on crack and steroids.
This isn’t just our shoe-shopper’s goon squad. It’s OVP’s, and it’s being run with monies that are looser than they are at the Pentagon, lower degree of oversight.
Challenge is finding Shooter’s fingerprints on this…