Civilian Warriors : The Inside Story Of Blackwater And The Unsung Heroes Of The War On Terror by Erik Prince
View book: Civilian Warriors : The Inside Story Of Blackwater And The Unsung Heroes Of The War On Terror
The founder of Blackwater presents a gripping and true account of the most contentious military contractor in the world. In 1997, Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL, established a company that sought out civilians for perilous security roles globally. The demand for Blackwater’s services skyrocketed as its reputation flourished, leading to nearly 100,000 successful missions carried out for both the Bush and Obama administrations.
However, there was a significant obstacle: Blackwater faced widespread demonization. Its employees were unjustly labeled as mercenaries, profiteers, or even worse. Unfortunately, due to contractual obligations with the Pentagon, the State Department, and the CIA, Prince was unable to rectify these falsehoods. Finally, the time has come for Prince to reveal the complete narrative behind some of the most significant controversies surrounding the War on Terror. Unveiling his memoir, which reads like an action-packed thriller, Prince sheds light on the truth.
Eric Prince discusses Blackwater, terrorism, and current geopolitics.
Welcome to this week’s edition of Good Books Radio. I’m your host, Dr. W.F. Strong, and we have a great interview lined up for you today. We have Eric Prince, the founder and former CEO of Blackwater Inc., on the phone with us. He has written a New York Times bestselling book called “Civilian Warriors” where he tries to set the record straight about Blackwater’s reputation. He believes the company got a bad rap and that he was unable to properly defend it due to security regulations.
Prince, a navy SEAL himself, comes from a wealthy family which allowed him to create Blackwater. In addition to discussing Blackwater’s legacy, he also talks about current geopolitics, particularly between the Muslim and Christian worlds. The Washington Post said that we need Prince’s story to help understand the history of the post-9/11 wars. Now, let’s dive into Mr. Prince’s side of the story.
Geopolitics: Clash between civilization and a rabid horde
Prince believes that there is not a clash between Christianity and Islam, but rather a clash between civilization and a rabid horde. He says that ISIS targets not only Christians but also other Sunnis and Shias. Their goal is to strike terror into anyone who opposes them. Prince points out that the Iraqi army surrendered to ISIS because they were unhappy with the Baghdad government. He thinks that the key is to make the Sunnis in the region feel comfortable with the government.
American response to ISIS
Prince suggests that it is not just a matter of crushing ISIS militarily, but also of ensuring the Sunnis in the region feel comfortable with the government. He believes that America played a role in the destabilization of Iraq by allowing Maliki to stay in power despite losing the election. Prince thinks that Iraq may not stay together as a unified country, but that there will be greater autonomy. He stresses that most Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds just want to live in peace.
Security and the Mexican border
Prince believes that it is a real possibility that radical Muslims could enter the U.S. through the Mexican border. He points out that it is important to degrade or annihilate ISIS wherever they are, but at the same time, America should not sacrifice its liberty for security. Prince warns against living in a hyper-police state and emphasizes the importance of maintaining freedom.
Dispelling myths about Blackwater
Prince wrote the book to dispel myths about Blackwater and contractors in general. He wants people to understand that the company was not a group of out-of-control malcontents, but rather veterans who served their country well. He explains that the private sector has always played a role in national security and that contractors can provide cost-effective and focused capabilities. Prince believes that private companies fill temporary gaps and can provide valuable services. He also stresses that many important figures in American history, such as Lafayette and Rochambeau, were essentially mercenaries.
Depiction of war in movies
Prince mentions that he found the combat scenes in movies like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Lone Survivor” to be fairly realistic. He believes that these scenes accurately depict the disorientation of a firefight. However, he acknowledges that Hollywood often adds elements for entertainment purposes.
Prince’s book “Civilian Warriors” aims to set the record straight about Blackwater and contractors in general. He wants people to understand the role that private companies play in national security and to dispel myths about their work. Whether or not you agree with his perspectives, his book provides an insider’s view of the challenges and controversies surrounding Blackwater and the war against terror.
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