How many contractor deaths in afghanistan

Hillary Clinton, while secretary of state under President Barack Obama, accused defense contractors at risk in war zones of resorting to payoffs to armed groups, making protection money one of the biggest sources of funding for the Taliban.

The United States also relied, in part, on defense contractors to carry out one of the tasks most central to its hopes of success in Afghanistan — helping to set up and train an Afghan military and other security forces that could stand up to extremist groups and to insurgents, including the Taliban.

Tellingly, Vittori said, it was Afghan commandos who had consistent training by U. Relying less on private contractors, and more on the U. She said that would have meant U. Sections U. Science Technology Business U. Even before the U. Iraq contributed further to the trend. But as the situation deteriorated, it would have been difficult to mobilize tens of thousands of additional troops to provide security.

So contractors filled the gap—and not just for the Defense Department. They came from a range of countries in addition to the U. But the biggest benefit of all may be political. Read: Trump might not want war, but the military is steering his Iran policy. Contractors have committed crimes that have hurt U.

In , four armed contractors were ambushed in Fallujah, their burned and mutilated bodies hung from a bridge. Maxwell told Insider, "We hear about the casualties on a case-by-case basis but do not keep track of the total number. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more.

A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. Sections U.

Science Technology Business U. Costs of the Afghanistan war, in lives and dollars. Hundreds of people run alongside a U. Air Force C transport plane, some climbing on the plane, as it moves down a runway of the international airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug.