‘Drafting’ mercenaries

If you think that soldiers of fortune went out with Frederick Forsythe and the last colonial war in Africa, think again. The dogs of war are back big time, compliments of the US occupation of Iraq. Except in our more politically correct world, the word “mercenary” has been dropped from our vocabulary and replaced with the more acceptable term: “civilian contractor.” It is difficult to say exactly how much their presence is netting the US private sector – the firms employing them are mum – but it is safe to assume that the US government is saving a great deal on costs that would otherwise be incurred if they used regular troops. The brutal slaying of four unfortunate Americans in Fallujah made front-page news the world over, as did the prisoner abuse in the Abu Ghraib prison, where civilian guards were said to be involved. But just who are these