Dirty Money Season 1 Episode 6 Soldiers of Fortune

In the sixth episode of Dirty Money season 1, titled "Soldiers of Fortune," the show delves into the controversial world of private military contractors and their role in modern warfare.

The episode begins with the story of Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, one of the most infamous private military companies in the world. Blackwater gained notoriety after its employees were responsible for the killing of Iraqi civilians in the Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad in 2007. Prince founded Blackwater in 1997, with the aim of providing security services for businesses operating in warzones. However, the company soon expanded into providing security for the US government itself, with contracts worth billions of dollars.

The episode discusses the ethics of using private military contractors, who are essentially hired guns with no accountability or oversight. They are not subject to the same laws and regulations as regular soldiers, and are not bound by the rules of engagement that limit the use of force. As a result, they are often accused of using excessive force and committing human rights violations.

The episode also looks at the financial incentives behind using private military contractors. It is often cheaper to hire them than to maintain a standing army, as they can be paid on a per-contract basis and do not require the same level of benefits and support as regular soldiers. However, this also leads to concerns about the quality of the personnel being hired, as they may not have the same level of training and expertise as regular soldiers.

The episode then turns to the story of the private military contractor DynCorp, which was contracted by the US government to provide security for the Afghan president Hamid Karzai in 2002. DynCorp was also tasked with training Afghan police officers. However, the company soon became embroiled in controversy when it was discovered that its employees were involved in sex trafficking, including the buying and selling of minors. The episode discusses the company's attempts to cover up these activities and the lack of accountability for the employees involved.

The episode also discusses the lucrative business of providing security for ships in pirate-infested waters. Private military companies are hired to provide armed guards on board ships, with the aim of deterring pirate attacks. However, this has led to concerns about the use of excessive force and the risk of innocent civilians being caught in the crossfire.

Overall, the episode raises important questions about the role of private military contractors in modern warfare and the ethics of using such companies. It highlights the lack of oversight and accountability for these companies, and the potential for abuse and human rights violations. It also raises concerns about the financial incentives behind using private military contractors, and the impact this can have on the quality of personnel being hired.