Are America's Private Security Contractors Out of Control?
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A deadly shooting incident involving Blackwater USA has the US and Iraq at odds over security for American diplomats. Why is the State Department so dependent on private contractors? Are they out of control? Also, foreign aid and peacemaking efforts in the Middle East and, on Reporter's Notebook, a great-grandmother in Orem, Utah faces charges for failing to water the lawn—not to mention resisting arrest.
Photo: Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images
Making News
Israel Moves to Cut Off the Power in Gaza ()
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Jerusalem today on a peacemaking mission, Israel declared the Gaza Strip an "enemy entity." Ken Ellingwood reports for the Los Angeles Times.
Guests:
- Ken Ellingwood: Jerusalem Correspondent for the Los Angeles Times
Main Topic
Iraq Wants Blackwater Security Guards Out ()
All US diplomats are banned from leaving the Green Zone by land as Iraq's Prime Nouri al-Maliki Minister tells the State Department to fire Blackwater USA security guards. Iraq says ten civilians were killed on Sunday when Blackwater guards fired indiscriminately into a crowd. Blackwater says they shot at "armed enemies." It's the latest in a long series of incidents that have infuriated Iraqis from the streets to the corridors of power. Why is the State Department so dependent on private guards? Has it failed to exercise appropriate oversight?
Guests:
- Leila Fadel: Baghdad Bureau Chief for McClatchy Newspapers, @LeilaFadel
- Peter Singer: National Security Fellow at the Brookings Institution, @peterwsinger
- Doug Brooks: President of the International Peace Operations Association
- Robert Young Pelton: Author of 'Licensed to Kill'
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Great-Grandma Arrested for Killing Lawn ()
The police department in Orem, Utah takes neighborhood preservation seriously. One enforcement effort has led to injury, handcuffs, jail—and a high-profile California attorney. The alleged perpetrator is a 70-year old great-grandmother. Her initial offense was failing to water the lawn. Betty Perry has pleaded innocent to charges of resisting arrest and failing to water her lawn. Sara Israelsen reports for the Deseret Morning News.
Guests:
- Sara Israelsen: Staff writer for the Deseret Morning News
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