Home Latest News Private Army in Afghanistan ‘Not a Wise Idea’

Private Army in Afghanistan ‘Not a Wise Idea’

by AFP

Emmanuel Dunand—AFP

U.S. defense secretary downplays proposal to replace soldiers with private military contractors

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday downplayed the idea of sending private military contractors to Afghanistan to replace American forces.

“When Americans put their nation’s credibility on the line, privatizing it is probably not a wise idea,” Mattis told Pentagon reporters.

Erik Prince, the former head of a controversial private military firm once known as Blackwater, has repeatedly touted such a plan as a way of reducing the U.S. military footprint in Afghanistan after 17 years of war.

His sister is Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Currently, about 14,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, providing the main component of the NATO mission to support and train local forces.

Related Articles

Leave a Comment