In 2003, a string of deadly suicide bombings in Casablanca sent a shock wave through the relatively stable kingdom of Morocco, which maintains close ties to Europe, Israel and America, and which is working to make tourism a keystone of the economy. The attacks on Jewish and European targets killed 32 and injured more than 100 people, and were followed by a series of suicide bombings in April of 2007, this time targeting the US consulate in Casablanca and two other American institutions. In the wake of these attacks, businesses from a broad variety of sectors have been turning to private security firms for protection and peace of mind. But are local security agencies really making businesses safer? Over the past decade, the private security industry has enjoyed rapid growth, both in conflict regions and globally. Private security firms are increasingly being called upon to take part in military conflicts.
