MERCENARIES: NAVIGATING THE MURKY WATERS OF ETHICS AND ROLES OF PMCs
Private military companies, or PMCs, have been around for hundreds of years. Colloquially known as mercenaries, these are soldiers that fight for money. They don't have allegiance to any political party, religion or state. Their only allegiance is to cold, hard cash. As such, using these services makes it easy and clear. Money in exchange for a range of services like protection and security, trainings or support for official armed forces. But, on the other hand, this also makes mercenaries dangerous. They work without parameters, and have nobody to answer to. As they are private contractors, they only have themselves to listen to. So, how ethical is it to use these PMCs? What are the benefits? And, lastly, what are the pitfalls a country might find with these operators? WHAT IS A PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY? Essentially, a PMC, as they are better known, are security companies that provide the same services as traditional armed forces, governmental security personnel, or police. These