Pentagon Chief Sees Role for U.S. Contractors in Rebuilding Iraq, Syria (Today)

[think]

Pentagon Chief Sees Role for U.S. Contractors in Rebuilding Iraq, Syria

By Jon Harper - Today

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – Contractors could play a major role in efforts to stabilize and rebuild cities in Iraq and Syria after they are recaptured from the Islamic State, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter told reporters July 27 during a visit to meet with troops set to deploy to the Middle East.

The State Department, USAID and their coalition counterparts will be working with Iraqis and Syrians to provide humanitarian aid, support near-term stabilization and promote longer-term recovery, he noted during a speech to troops from the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps, some of whom will help lead the U.S. component of the counter-ISIL campaign.

There will “absolutely” be a significant role for U.S. contractors once Islamic State strongholds like the Iraqi city of Mosul fall, he said in response to a question from a reporter.

“I do think that much of the reconstruction effort will be done by civil authorities, not the Department of Defense," he said. “That’s going to be a big job.”...

Read more:
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2261

[pangaia]

1. I'll just bet they could.

That was the whole point of invading Iraq in the first place.

[Iggo]

2. Mercenaries rebuild countries?

Who knew?