In the first Gulf war the ratio of military troops to on private military contractors was 100 to 1, in the current Iraqi conflict that number is 10 to 1 and getting smaller as the government subsides sizable chunks of the military machine to PMCs. PMCs are also hired for a variety of other tasks, such as escort of VIPs, escort of supply trucks, and additional force components in large scale engagements. For the administration this is a win win situation, some of these companies have direct links to people in power (Haliburton with Kellog Brown and Root), and replacing US army people with paid individuals is great, since this is a force reduction and thus the same high recruitment numbers don't need to be met. However PMC contractors get paid more then the military soldiers, so there is a large problem about soldiers who do far more dangerous tasks for less and thus leave service to go to a PMC. Some of you might remember the events a while back regarding the American PMCs who were killed and hung up on a bridge, evidence shows that it could have been prevented had the requisite rear gunner been present, however there was no one available that day so the convoy left without a rear gunner.

However there is an inherent problem with this, the PMCs do no fall under the military's arch of judicial power or information exchange for that matter. Following the military's ROE is at best optional. Coordinating tasks on the ground becomes an issue, especially with a dynamic battlescape such as Iraq. Further more abuses by PMC troops are not handled, the individual is usually simply shipped out of the country, and can return for another assignment or contract within 6 months. PMCs are notorious in their tactics, close approaching vehicles are indiscriminately shot at (as shown in the video, proper enforcement of warn, shoot 10m off, shoot vehicle, shoot target are not adhered to).

Hearts and minds and this, is clearly a serious clash of strategic objectives. There is more here.

I like the video, it's striking when something entertains and horrifies at the same time.