Reviews of Shadow Force: Private Security Contractors in Iraq
- International Affairs, Private security companies in Iraq and beyond, Vol. 87 (2) 2011, Trevor Taylor.
- Journal of International Peace Operations, Cyril Magnon-Pujo – “A Shadowy Business: A Review of David Isenberg’s ‘Shadow Force,’” Vol. 5, No 3 – November-December, 2009: Information and Intelligence.
- Journal of Peace Research, Kjell Erling Kjellman, Vol. 46, Issue 4, July 2009, p. 601.
- The Shorrock Files, “Only the shadow knows,” March 12, 2009.
- CATO Institute Podcast, “Security Contractors in Iraq,” December 28, 2008.
Public Speaking & Testifying
2015
- Panel 1 (Exploring the history and current scope of military contractors), Guns For Hire: The Legal, Policy, and Ethical Implications for the Growing Reliance upon Military Contractors, Washington College of Law, American University, Video, March 24, 2015.
2011
- Testimony of David Isenberg, before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform, on “Are government contractors exploiting workers overseas? Examining enforcement of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act,” November 2, 2011.
2010
- Spoke on Outsourcing Military Operations and Their Impact on US Defense Policy/Strategy, George Washington University, November 3, 2010.
- Interview with ProPublica, Q&A: Leaked War Logs Raise Questions of Accountability for Military Contractors, Oct. 27, 2010.
2009
- Participant, Contracting in Conflicts: Expeditionary Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations, Center for a New American Security, Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, DC, October 28, 2009.
2008
- “Has the Privatization of National Security Gone Too Far?” The Future of Military Contracting, Video, New America Foundation, November 14, 2008.
2007
- Participant in Expert Consultation: “Status of Nationality and Private Military and Security Companies,” Geneva, Switzerland, sponsored by the Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the Directorate of International Law, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, December 4-6, 2007.
- Film Screening: Force Provision, Panel discussion participant American University, November 15, 2007.
- Participant in one day unclassified, off-the-record conference, The Future of the Global Private Security Market, sponsored by the Directorate of Intelligence, Office of Transnational Issues, CIA at SAIC campus in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, November 15, 2007.
2006
- Putting Round Pegs into Square Holes: US Government Oversight and Regulation of Private Military and Security Contractors, Grayston Centre, London, hosted by the British American Security Information Council, October 31, 2006.
- “Putting round pegs into square holes: U.S. government oversight and regulation of private military and security contractors,” Regulating Private Military and Security Companies panel October 27, 2006, 7th Annual International Security Forum New Risks and Threats: The Challenge of Securing State and Society, Zurich, Switzerland, October 26-28, 2006.
- Participant in the Understanding the Privatization of National Security conference. Sponsored by the McCormick Tribune Conference Series and the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, McCormick Tribune Foundation’s Cantigny Estate in Wheaton, Illinois, May 11-12, 2006.
- Participant in Market Forces: Regulating Private Military Companies Conference, Institute for International Law and Justice, New York University School of Law, NY, March 24, 2006.
- The Good, the Bad, and the Unknown: PMCs in Iraq, Presentation by David Isenberg, at the “Guns ‘n gates: The role of private security actors in armed violence” Cost Action 25 Working Group 3, Bonn Germany, February 9-10, 2006.
2004
- Seminar participant in “Privatisation of Warfare,” Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Cligendael Institute, July 1 and 2, 2004.
2001
- Private Military Firms: Myths and Missions: Security for a New Century Intermediate Seminar, Joint Special Operations University, Hurlburt Field, FL, May 8th, 2001.
2000
- “Private Military Companies,” Voice of America, Talk to America program, July 19, 2000.
- “Privatizing Peacekeeping?,” Feature Story News, June 12, 2000.
1997
- CNN International, November 6, 1997, to discuss “Soldiers of Fortune Ltd: A Profile of Today’s Private Sector Corporate Mercenary Firms” report.
Media Appearances
2021
- Here And There, David Isenberg, “Erik Prince’s fiasco in Libya — he says he didn’t do it,” April 22, 2021.
2020
- Here And There, “The people who fight in proxy wars,” August 25, 2020.
2019
- Here and There, “Private Military Contracting Goes Global,” November 11, 2019.
- Force For Hire: A Stars and Stripes Podcast, Episode 1: Outsourcing America’s military might, March 6, 2019.
2018
- Here and There, “Saudis and Emeratis are bombing Yemen from the air, but who’s fighting on the ground?” August 22, 2018.
2017
- Here And There, “The military-industrial complex adds private contractors, loses control,” March 16, 2017.
2016
- Here And There, “Blackwater boss quits military contracting? Maybe not.,” July 19, 2016.
2015
- Al Jazeera English, “Ex-Blackwater guards handed lengthy prison terms,” April 14, 2015.
2014
- Al Jazeera English segment on Blackwater trial, Sep. 2, 2014.
- Here and There, “How private contractors pocketed millions of dollars for running the CIA’s torture program, and got permanent immunity from prosecutions for what many call war crimes,” February 3, 2014.
- RT America, The State Department dropped a 2007 investigation of security contractor Blackwater after the lead investigator was threatened by the company’s project manager. RT’s Manila Chan discusses the newly revealed incident and other issues surrounding security contractors with “Shadow Force” author, David Isenberg. June 30, 2014.
2011
- Al Jazeera (English), re estimates of PMC fraud and waste, July 22, 2011.
2010
- Al Jazeera (English), re sale of Blackwater, December 17, 2010.
- Al Jazeera (English), re PMCS in Wikileaks document dump, October 22, 2010.
- C-Span III, speaks on private military contracting, August 17, 2010.
- The World in “Controversy over CIA Blackwater contract,” June 28, 2010.
- Al Jazeera (English), re expulsion of former Blackwater contractors from Iraq, Feb. 11, 2010.
- Roy Green Show, CKNW AM Radio, Vancouver, Canada, on private contractors, Jan. 16, 2010.
- Al Jazeera (English), re charges against contractors in Afghanistan, Jan. 7, 2010.
- Al Jazeera (English), re Judge Urbina’s dismissal of charges against Blackwater contractors, Jan. 2, 2010.
2009
- Al Jazeera (English), re Israeli private security contractors, December 22, 2009.
- Federal News Radio, The Daily Debrief with Chris Dorobek and Amy Morris, “Examining the role of the military contractor,” November 12, 2009.
2008
- Al Jazeera (English), re Blackwater, SOFA and contractors, December 11, 2008.
- Al Jazeera (English), indictment against Blackwater contractors, December 8, 2008.
- Al Jazeera (English), speaking on Status of Forces Agreement negotiations between Iraq and the United States, November 16, 2008.
- Al Jazeera (English), speaking on Status of Forces Agreement negotiations between Iraq and Iran and implications for contractors, Oct 20, 2008.
- Al Jazeera English, Riz Khan show, August 20, 2008, re contractors in Iraq, Part 1, and Part 2.
2007
- TV Ontario, The Agenda With Steve Paikin, October 23, 2007.
- Al Jazeera (English), Interview with re PMC industry, October 18, 2007.
- Al Jazeera (English), re PMC in Iraq, October 8, 2007.
- Al Jazeera, re FBI investigation into Blackwater and Rep. Price legislation on MEJA, October 4, 2007.
- Al Jazeera, re Oct. 2 congressional hearing on Blackwater, October 2, 2007.
- Al Jazeera, re shooting of Iraqis by Blackwater contractors, September 17, 2007.
- Al Jazeera, Interview on re British withdrawal from Basrah and Bush visit to Iraq, September 3, 2007.
2004
- WTOP-AM, Chas. Henry reporting, re private military and security company employees in Iraq. October 19, 2004.
- WTOP-AM, Chas. Henry reporting, re PMCs in Iraq. October 14, 2004.
- Radio America Network News You Can Use, Jane Silk, Host, Report by General Taguba & His Senate Testimony, May 11, 2004.
- CNN International, torture scandal in Iraq, May 8, 2004.
- WWPR, with Henry Raines, Iraq and PMCs, May 7, 2004.
- KXCI, with David Yerkey, re PMCs in Iraq, May 5, 2004.
- WRVC, Jean Dean, re PMCs in Iraq, May 5, 2004.
- KPCC, re PMCs in Iraq, May 5, 2004.
- Voice of America, Talk to America radio show, re PMCs in Iraq, May 4, 2004.
- WOON, Don Burnelle, Military Alternatives and Privatized Military Companies, May 3, 2004.
- KKCR, Truth From The Source with Dr. Ann West, Military Alternatives and Privatized Military Companies, April 23, 2004.
- KZZZ, Richard Kaffenberger Show, Private Military Companies, April 22, 2004.
- WHON, Troy Derengowski, Military Alternatives and Privatized Military Companies, April 21, 2004.
- KFRU and KLIK, re Iraq and PMCs, April 15, 2004.
- KVMR, War without End: Mercenaries and Private Armies, April 14, 2004.
- WCTC, The Midday Show with Bernie Spigner, re attacks against US contractor personnel in Fallujah, Iraq, April 1, 2004.
- Radio 786, Primetalk, South Africa re South African/Equatorial Guinea/Zimbawe situation, March 17, 2004.
- CNN, re mercenaries in Africa, March 10, 2004.
