The Rise Of Mercenary Armies, Terrorism, and Peace. Part 1

Part 1 in a two part series by guest author Dr Majed Ashy

Burned buses near Garyounis university, Benghazi, possibly of pro-Qadafi forces, as they attacked Benghazi on March 19, 2011.
Burned buses near Garyounis university, Benghazi, possibly of pro-Qadafi forces, as they attacked Benghazi on March 19, 2011. Image by Maher27777. Image is in the public domain.

Mercenaries, or hired fighters, have been part of wars for hundreds of years. Today, there are many private companies that have armies ranging in size from few security detail individuals to large professional armies. The activities of these companies can be to provide security to individuals, organizations, or facilities, or to provide mercenaries who will fight wars.

For example, the US government contracted some of these companies to fight in Iraq in 2003, run prisons, and even participate in interrogations. In addition, some international organizations working in conflict zones hire private companies to provide mercenaries for security and protection. Some countries contract these companies to provide security for various facilities inside the country or abroad.

In the worst case scenario, we can see some wealthy individuals or groups or countries who might hire mercenary armies to commit atrocities or even terrorism in order to advance their narrow economical or power interests without being held accountable. For example, Qadafi of Libya had a large army of mercenaries from Africa and other nations that he relied on for protection, control of Libya, and to fight his wars. This has been a booming business and is attracting more investments.

Dr. Ashy is an assistant professor of psychology at Merrimack College and a research fellow in psychiatry at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He was born in Lebanon and is a Saudi. He earned his B.A., M.A, and Ph.D. in psychology from Boston University. His research in psychoneuroimmunology and political psychology focuses on childhood experience of adversity and its psychobiological consequences.