Kathryn Cramer: The Problem of Civilian Commandos is a good piece introducing the problems that the US faces with using "private security contractors" in Iraq. I think that among the more telling points is that these companies don't necessarily have America's security interests as their highest priorities. Soldiers can be ordered under threat of military justice, but I don't know if these companies have the same level of accountability. I don't mean to accuse these companies of doing anything wrong, but I am concerned that the American public doesn't know anything about the situation.