Shadow company is a movie/documentary about private security companies or PMCs for short, what they stand for, how they function and its importance in today’s world. It deals with a very different dimension of warfare. Furthermore, it provides a thorough explanation of the pros and cons of PMCs. I absolutely enjoyed this movie. Although the movie narration was rather cynical, nevertheless it dealt with some serious content. PMCs are the ‘hidden’ actors of war and their presence are proving to be more and more relevant, according to the movie. Some are for it and some are against it. I on the other hand, am for it.

I would argue that PMCs can be a legitimate use of force to help and assist peace-building efforts in countries that are beset with ethnic conflict, war, oppression and violent uprisings. The presence of PMCs adds a certain dynamic to warfare that can prove to be very beneficial to governments if their services are deployed under contracts and through legitimate means. How then can PMCs be beneficial to governments? Generally speaking, PMCs are able to add greater military support, provide enhanced security and protection, and deliver expert consultation on crisis management. These reasons, to me, are good enough to justify the employment of private security services.

When countries are at war or trying to deliver peace and autonomy via military intervention, occasionally government troops are not enough. Not enough in terms of number or capabilities. PMCs are that added bonus, and this is good for two reasons. Firstly, individuals employed by PMCs are often highly skilled and specialized. They often come with a variety of military and combat skills which can further improve the chances of a positive outcome in wars or ethnic conflict. Secondly, these individuals are considered to be company assets and don’t fight under a particular national flag. This is important because the general public ultimately despises the death of one of their own soldiers. Death of home-grown soldiers in war is ultimately disliked and can be avoided.This is where come PMCs in. They are not subjective to the aesthetic values of dying in combat. These men are working for a company and are bound to contracts instead of flags. This removes liability issues. PMCs generally function “under the radar” which makes them far more effective in making critical decisions that can save hundreds of lives.

In its physical sense, the Government has sovereign identity that needs to be safeguarded in buildings, power plants and public infrastructure. PMCs can deliver effective and long-term protection. Not only that, Government officials have the risk of losing their lives reduced to a bare minimum. The presence of PMCs heightens the security and safety of civilians. Enemy combatants are less likely to inflict more damage and hence, civilian casualties can be successfully be avoided. Although civilian casualties are inevitable in war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq, PMCs can significantly reduce that. Moreover, critical infrastructure that are economic assets to a country such as oil plants and power plants have the option of added security. These infrastructure are often targeted by rebel groups and insurgents and so, PMCs can employ its services to ensure that these economic assets are fully functioning once the war or conflict is over.

Next, PMCs are experts on strategies and techniques on handling crisis management. They fill in the knowledge gap which is important because such a knowledge can save many lives, especially lives of important people such as top government officials, diplomats and high-ranked members of NGOs. They provide consultation as to how to achieve any objective at any given time whilst minimizing the need for weapon firing and casualty. These strategies and techniques can be applied in any condition, time or place. That’s the unique part about PMCs. They have a high degree of adaptability in combat situations or high-risk tactical operations that require the protection of individuals of political importance.

In conclusion, PMCs are in the business of ensuring safety and protection of “people, places and things”. Some people may argue that deploying individuals that serve under private security contracts are morally and ethically corruptable. I disagree because these individuals go through comprehensible background checks and are subjected to physical and emotional scrutiny prior to being employed. Furthermore, they are paid handsomely and so companies go to great lengths to ensure that the “company assets” are well taken care off. War and conflict has reached a new level of global threat. Domestic and international politics need not ignore the importance of PMCs. Bottom line is that we need PMCs to help rid the world of senseless violence and war declared by rogue states.