C.I.A. Sought Blackwater’s Help in Plan to Kill Jihadists

[Autumn]

C.I.A. Sought Blackwater’s Help in Plan to Kill Jihadists

hxxp://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/us/20intel.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

The Central Intelligence Agency in 2004 hired outside contractors from the private security contractor Blackwater USA as part of a secret program to locate and assassinate top operatives of Al Qaeda, according to current and former government officials. ...

It is unclear whether the C.I.A. had planned to use the contractors to actually capture or kill Qaeda operatives, or just to help with training and surveillance in the program. American spy agencies have in recent years outsourced some highly controversial work, including the interrogation of prisoners. But government officials said that bringing outsiders into a program with lethal authority raised deep concerns about accountability in covert operations.

Blackwater, which has changed its name, most recently to Xe Services, and is based in North Carolina, in recent years has received millions of dollars in government contracts.

I thought this article was interesting, though about an old abandoned program. I didn't realize Blackwater had changed its name. Pretty smart move, I suppose, given the press they've been getting, glad I know who they are now.

[Young Drachma]

It worked for Philip Morris. Name change, I mean.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

It worked for Philip Morris. Name change, I mean.

Altria FTW!

Or Valujet becoming Airtran and being successful (tho I'd argue Valujet was actually quite a good airline that got in one highly publicized crash)

SI

[Klinglerware]

I wonder if it's pronounced "Che". Now that would be Blackwater trying a super fakeout by making us think that they're now playing for the other team.

[RainMaker]

Blackwater is a creepy organization. Read a book on them years ago. Lot of ties to some shady groups and a lot more ties to the Bush administration.

[flere-imsaho]

Isn't the head of Blackwater under investigation for attempted murder/manslaughter?

Anyway, I wouldn't have a problem with the concept except that Blackwater has routinely proven itself to be pretty inept at their jobs.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Blackwater is a creepy organization. Read a book on them years ago. Lot of ties to some shady groups and a lot more ties to the Bush administration.

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Isn't the head of Blackwater under investigation for attempted murder/manslaughter?

Anyway, I wouldn't have a problem with the concept except that Blackwater has routinely proven itself to be pretty inept at their jobs.

Actually my neighbor a retired Seal is a on a team and is a "field operator" team lead. Nice guy actually though he raised eye brows when his three year old twins were taught some Jujitsu strikes to contract the wind pipe

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Blackwater is a creepy organization. Read a book on them years ago. Lot of ties to some shady groups and a lot more ties to the Bush administration.

Michael Moore has already told us this zaniness.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Dutch

Michael Moore has already told us this zaniness.

So your argument is that since Michael Moore said something about it that it isn't true?

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

So your argument is that since Michael Moore said something about it that it isn't true?

That's usually a safe assumption.

[JPhillips]

A government contracting out assassinations is never a good idea, IMO.