Author Archives: David Isenberg

Victory for Abu Ghraib Torture Survivors: Appeals Court Upholds Historic $42 Million Verdict Against Private Contractor

We are gratified yet again that the Fourth Circuit rejected CACI’s cynical arguments for impunity for its responsibility for the torture of our clients, which the jury confirmed in a historic judgment last year. Our courageous clients have waited so long for recognition and justice, and we are happy for them that this judgment affirmed their entitlement to it.”
After the Bush administration invaded Iraq in 2003, it hired CACI to provide interrogation services at Abu Ghraib. In April 2004, news outlets released photographs and video showing naked, hooded people posed in human pyramids, on leashes, and being sexually assaulted. U.S. military investigators concluded that CACI employees had conspired with U.S. soldiers to “soften up” imprisoned Iraqis, and military personnel who worked under CACI employees were court-martialed for their role in the torture. The jury’s verdict reflected those same findings of CACI’s participation in a conspiracy to torture. Continue reading →

Posted in Fraud/Waste/Abuse, Human Rights, Iraq, Legal | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kaine & Booker Request Update Regarding United Nations Gang Suppression Force in Haiti

Adding to our concerns are reports that the Haitian Government is funding a private security firm, Vectus Global, whose activities are not coordinated with the GSF but could easily be conflated with GSF operations on the ground, thereby undermining the GSF’s legitimacy. Continue reading →

Posted in Haiti | Tagged | Leave a comment

UN Security Council Report – September 2026

September 2026 Monthly Forecast Posted 1 September 2026 Download Complete Forecast:PDF AMERICAS Haiti Expected Council Action    In September, the US and Panama, the co-penholders on Haiti, are expected to seek re-authorisation… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Haiti | Tagged | Leave a comment

Priced but not Costed: The Empirical Status of Cost-Effectiveness Claims for Private Military and Security Companies

This paper asks what the evidence actually establishes. It proceeds from a deliberately narrow question—does contracting a given security function cost the buying government less than performing it in-house?—and then shows why that question cannot be answered without first specifying what “cost” means, against what counterfactual, over what horizon, and for which function. The central finding is not that PMSCs are expensive. It is that the proposition “PMSCs are cost-effective” has, for thirty years, functioned less as an empirical claim than as a premise: asserted by advocates, assumed by policymakers, and left untested by the institutions best placed to test it. Continue reading →

Posted in Academic, David Isenberg, Outsourcing/Privatization | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

India Probe Links US Mercenary, 14 Ukrainians To Drone Attack In Myanmar

India Probe Links US Mercenary, 14 Ukrainians To Drone Attack In Myanmar The agency claims that their trip to Myanmar was part of a “pre-scheduled training on drone warfare, drone operations,… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Drones, Legal, Mercenaries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ICE asks contractors for 5,500 detention beds in four regions, gives industry a week to respond

ICE asks contractors for 5,500 detention beds in four regions, gives industry a week to respond The rapid-turnaround requests arrive as current operating agreements near expiration and newly released inspection reports… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Companies, Contracts, Homeland Security | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

ICE extends no-bid contract for major detention center in Texas, rejecting calls for closure

ICE extends no-bid contract for major detention center in Texas, rejecting calls for closure Nation Jul 27, 2026 4:42 PM EDT U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to keep one of… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Companies, Contracts, Homeland Security | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How a Montreal-based security firm stands to cash in on U.S. immigration crackdown

How a Montreal-based security firm stands to cash in on U.S. immigration crackdown GardaWorld received money from Quebec, just won contract for ICE detention centre worth up to nearly $1B Cdn… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Companies, Homeland Security | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

US Senators Demand Blacklist for India-Based “Cyber Mercenary” Firms

US Senators Demand Blacklist for India-Based “Cyber Mercenary” Firms Published : Sep 10, 2026, 10:11 am IST Updated : Sep 10, 2026, 10:11 am IST SHARE ARTICLE US Senators Demand Blacklist… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Control | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Commerce Department Should Punish Indian ‘Mercenary Hackers,’ Lawmakers Say,

Commerce Department Should Punish Indian ‘Mercenary Hackers,’ Lawmakers Say, (Sep 9, 2026) By Tom Leithauser The Commerce Department should punish “foreign mercenary hackers” targeting U.S. organizations by blocking their access to… You must be logged in to view this content. … Continue reading →

Posted in Control, Mercenaries | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment