The Rise of the Private Military and Security Industry

... growing presence and operations of non-state actors like multinational oil/gas companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as the resurfacing of inter- and intra-state tensions that had been curbed during the Cold War. Quite naturally,... ... an accusation that the companies themselves vehemently deny; understandably so, since mercenarism is illegal under existing international law. Some observers have supported the view that PMSCs and their personnel should not be classified as mercenaries ...