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Chapter XII of Machiavelli's The Prince is titled: How many different Kinds of Soldiers there are, and of Mercenaries. You can take a look here:
One would think America's military leaders would take into account the lessons of history. I am not saying that Machiavelli is necessarily right about everything he says - but this book hasn't been around since forever for nothing. As I read this chapter I think much of America's recent military misadventures (wars based on lies based on torture) in AFPAKistan and Iraq. In both cases massive numbers of Blackwater and other mercenaries are employed to prosecute these unpopular and foolish occupations.
How many mercenaries are presently deployed and on the payroll of the American taxpayer-funded military-industrial complex? This recent article from TPMMuckraker is enlightening:
" Private contractors employed by the Defense Department in Afghanistan will continue to outnumber the size of the American troop presence, even after President Obama sends 30,000 more soldiers to fight in the war, according to the military's most recent contractor count.
The latest figure on DOD contractors in the country is a whopping 104,100, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command tells TPM. That number, which is expected to grow, is already greater than the 98,000 U.S. troops that will be in the country after the new deployments."
In this Reuters article we learn that DynCorp sees great profits as merchants of death:
" * Defense contractor sees upside from Afghan troop surge
* Looking to strengthen compliance policies
* Shares up 7 pct "
As an American citizen I'm so proud of my leaders for employing losers - mercenaries - to continue these wars based on lies based on torture. We know there is something mighty fishy about the official fairy tale we were fed by the American corporate propaganda apparatus to justify these bloodbaths since nano-thermate chips have been found in dust samples from the 911 WTC attacks. The biggest mystery surrounding the 911 attacks isn't how kerosene fires from two airplanes collapsed three buildings at free-fall speed - it becomes "Who put the nano-thermate in the towers?" I digress - but remember that the attacks of 911 were the reason for both murderous wars - and that our leaders that continue to perpetuate these lies are not to be trusted - especially with the lives of our soldiers. Given that - how can they be trusted with the life of our nation?
Here are some lessons Machiavelli has for our brilliant leaders regarding the use of mercenaries. Think of this every time you hear them tell us that they have a plan that will "work" : (Please excuse paraphrasing)
1. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are at once useless and dangerous, and he who holds his State by means of mercenary troops can never be solidly or securely seated.
2. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are disunited, ambitious, insubordinate, treacherous, insolent among friends and cowardly before foes.
3. Without fear of God or faith with man, whenever they fight they are sure to be beaten; so that in peace you are plundered by them, in war by your enemies. (Sound familiar?)
4. The cause of which is that mercenaries have no tie or motive to keep them in the field beyond their paltry pay (not paltry these days) in return for which it would be too much to expect them to give their lives.
5. They are ready enough to be your soldiers while you are at peace, but when war is declared they make off and disappear.
6. Captains of mercenaries are either able men or they are not. If they are, you cannot trust them, since they will always seek their own aggrandizement, either by overthrowing you who are their master or by the overthrow of others contrary to your desire.
7. On the other hand, if your captain be not an able man you are sure to be undone.
Read it for yourself - do you agree the American government disagrees with Machiavelli?
Read here about a captain of mercenaries ironically named Prince. Look him up - do you see any parallels with his role as a captain of mercenaries and the writings of Machiavelli?
If you didn't think these wars based on lies based on torture were losers before - I beg you to reconsider.
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UPDATE DEC 5, 2009 Is Erik Prince 'Graymailing' the US Government?
UPDATE DEC 16, 2009 DOD: Obama's Afghan Surge Will Rely Heavily On Private Contractors
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I partially agree with your comments.
ReplyDeleteLet's take in consideration the kind of mercenaries that Italy had in the 15th century and compare them to today's forces. There are some distinctions.
Most private security companies used by the Government today (Blackwater, Triple Canopy, DynCorp, etc.) get their candidates from a select pool of veterans (SEALs/PJ/Green Berrets/Etc.)
Sure their logistic stuff is run by common people but the "in country" operations are all given to veterans that were not pleased with their pay in the military and switched to a more profitable sector that appreciated their skills. Take in consideration an E-5 in country probably makes 60k compared to 200k/250k they can get as a private contractor.
Most ex-operators I have come to know did some kind of private contracting in the middle east, they are still soldiers, still devoted to the US but lost the command structure that kept them on a leash. Hence all the cowboy shootouts.
Thanks above for commenting.
ReplyDeleteNew Rule: History Repeats NOT?
ReplyDeleteMost historical events where mercenaries have been used proved themselves to be of minor importance. They usually end up minding the store (body guards) and rather terrorize the locals than playing any major role in direct engagement with local militias or regular conscripts.
ReplyDeleteYou can't serve two masters - in this regard they will pay dearly for their behavior and disloyalty.
Mercs may prove more useful in the wars of the future, which will be fought by remote controlled vehicles, so that willingness to die for a cause is not an employment issue.
ReplyDeleteThe presences of mercenaries in international wars make obvious the reason, the structure, and the instigators of war. Millions of people in any given nation have never started a war nor would they ever care to have a war. But take a few extremely wealthy individuals with the desire for war and you will have instant war via deception. Although never fought by them, war is initiated, instigated, organized and funded by the wealthy and later funded by a deceived nation. Therefore wars cost money to start, but once started it becomes funded by the populace doing the fighting and here is when and where and how the instigators see a nice return on investment. This is the one and only reason for dragging a war, any war, over the course of years, while the dimwits continue to ask, “Why is the war still going on.” Remember, the longer the war the greater the profits. Typically a war will be resolved when the profit maximization point has been reached, and there is an evident downward curve of diminishing returns, and therefore there have been wars lasting only a few days because the profits were no longer viable. Then the money goes elsewhere and the war comes to an end. As long as companies e.g. central banks, or individuals have such wealth, they will always be able to control the media, all the politicians, the economy, and the wars, and of course, the misguided mercenaries.
ReplyDeleteMercs are notorious for having a high percentage of homosexuals. For proof evidence the guards at the Embassy in Kabul. They are unable to "hack it" in civilian life and prefer to be "around men". They are also proof of a crumbling society, when the government can no longer call on the citizens .............
ReplyDeleteThanks above for the comments
ReplyDeleteI've always said these boys were Machavellian in their policy...now, what do you suppose will happen if Russia decided to put them out of business, claiming they are the army of no nation and labels them a terrorist organization? After all, that was the Bush doctrine. No nation, not part of a recognized military means you are fair game as a terrorist.
ReplyDeleteThanks anon above - that's a point I haven't heard made before.
ReplyDeleteGo one more logical step...What is some other goverment bought them off ,and used them against us??
ReplyDeleteThanks anon Dec 5 directly previous:
ReplyDeleteYes - I've also asked "Who will put this genie back in the bottle?"