Private Contractors Are Still Being Used To Gather Intelligence In War Zones

Photo: Michael D. Furlong, the supervisor who set up the contractor network, is now under investigation. United States Air Force

U.S. Is Still Using Private Spy Ring, Despite Doubts -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — Top military officials have continued to rely on a secret network of private spies who have produced hundreds of reports from deep inside Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to American officials and businessmen, despite concerns among some in the military about the legality of the operation.

Earlier this year, government officials admitted that the military had sent a group of former Central Intelligence Agency officers and retired Special Operations troops into the region to collect information — some of which was used to track and kill people suspected of being militants. Many portrayed it as a rogue operation that had been hastily shut down once an investigation began.

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My Comment: My view towards this is simple .... if it works, do not try to fix it. But turf wars between the Pentagon and the CIA, an impression that there is a lack of accountability, coupled with a sense of political correctness back home on using private contractors .... a perfect storm is now brewing on whether such programs should exist.

My prediction .... these programs and operations have produced results and are too valuable to be closed down right now. I expect this program to continue until the situation on the ground changes .... or the politics back home will make the decision that it is in everyone's interest to shut these programs down .... and shut it they will.