Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This work aims at examining the development of Private Security Contracting, specifically Blackwater, and their role in destabilizing the United States’ mission in Iraq. In that examination, it looks at existing literature on the subject and the efforts that people involved in the Bush Administration made regarding the War on Terror that allowed these companies and Blackwater to develop. Choices made by Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and CPA leader Paul Bremer all added to the chaos and the shortage of manpower that would see these companies fill in the gaps in American planning. This work will also examine Erik Prince, the former owner of Blackwater, and his role in bringing Blackwater to such a major role in the occupation of Iraq. Lastly, it will examine how actions taken by Blackwater destabilized the American mission in Iraq and destroyed good will between the Iraqi people and the United States military.

Year manuscript completed

2017

Year degree awarded

2017

Author's Keywords

Blackwater, Contracting, Paul Bremer, War on Terror, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld

Degree Awarded

Master of Arts

Department

History

College/School

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

Committee Chair

Brian Clardy

Committee Member

James Humphreys

Committee Member

Aaron Irvin

Document Type

Thesis

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