On AlterNet: xe

Stories, blog posts, and videos tagged as "xe"

Blackwater's Youngest Victim

Jeremy Scahill, The Nation. January 29, 2010.

Nine-year-old Ali Kinani died from a gunshot wound to the head in the Nisour Square massacre. His father may be the one man standing between Blackwater and total impunity.

Robert Gates Confirms What U.S. Government Has Denied for Months: Blackwater Is in Pakistan

Jeremy Scahill, The Nation. January 22, 2010.

No sooner did Defense Secretary Gates admit during a visit to Islamabad that Blackwater is in the country, than the Pentagon rushed to "clarify" his remarks.

Two Blackwater Guards Arrested by FBI on Murder Charges

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. January 11, 2010.

They are charged with killing two Afghan civilians in May 2009.

Mercenaries, Robot Planes and the CIA Produce Lethal Mix for Secret Afghan War

Tom Engelhardt, Nick Turse, TomDispatch.com. January 11, 2010.

In Afghanistan, a militarized mix of CIA operatives and ex-military mercenaries as well as native recruits and robot aircraft is fighting a war in the shadows.

In Baghdad, Victims of Blackwater's Nisour Square Bloodbath Want Justice, Not Money

Abeer Mohammed, Institute for War and Peace Reporting. January 8, 2010.

A federal judge threw out charges against Blackwater this week; one victim, Haider Ahmed, a taxi driver who was shot twice by Blackwater guards says he is "shocked."

"An Absolute Bargain": Blackwater Settles Massacre Lawsuit by Paying Families of Dead Iraqis $100,000 Each

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. January 7, 2010.

Blackwater says it is "pleased" with the outcome.

Erik Prince Quitting Blackwater to Teach High School History and Economics

Alex Seitz-Wald, ThinkProgress. December 2, 2009.

"I may even coach wrestling. Hey, Indiana Jones taught school, too."

Blackwater Offers Training to 'Faith Based Organizations'

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. September 21, 2009.

This is not a story from The Onion.

Two Years After Nisour Square Massacre, Blackwater Still Armed and Dangerous In Iraq

Jeremy Scahill, The Nation. August 14, 2009.

Despite Iraqis' perception that Blackwater was kicked out of their country, the State Department has confirmed the mercenaries remain.

Explosive Allegations: Blackwater Founder Implicated in Murder

Jeremy Scahill, The Nation. August 4, 2009.

Sworn statements filed in Federal Court also allege that Blackwater founder Erik Prince launched a "crusade" to eliminate Muslims and Islam.

Revealed: Blackwater Still Working in Iraq for John McCain-linked 'Non-Profit'

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. June 10, 2009.

A new lawsuit reveals that the notorious mercenary firm is working, under a different name, for the International Republican Institute in Iraq.

22 Arrested at Blackwater's Illinois Compound

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. April 28, 2009.

More people have been arrested for protesting on Blackwater property than mercenaries who have killed innocent Iraqis.

U.S. Mercenaries to UN: Stop Using the Word 'Mercenary' in Your Investigation into Mercenaries

Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet. April 15, 2009.

The U.S. mercenary trade association asks the UN to join its rebranding campaign.

'Pirates' Strike a U.S. Ship Owned by a Pentagon Contractor, But Is the Media Telling the Whole Story?

Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports. April 8, 2009.

Reports say the crew of a U.S. cargo vessel seized early today has retaken the ship, but there's more to the story of rising "pirate" attacks.

Obama's Blackwater? Chicago Mercenary Firm Gets Millions for Private "Security" in Israel and Iraq

Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet. April 2, 2009.

Federal records obtained by AlterNet reveal a multi-million dollar contract for a private U.S. paramilitary force operating out of Jerusalem.

President Obama, Why Did You Pay Blackwater $70 Million in February?

Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet. March 17, 2009.

Obama may keep the company on the government payroll months after its Iraq contract expires. Not bad for a firm supposedly going down in flames.

Mercenary King Erik Prince Resigns as Blackwater CEO

Jeremy Scahill, AlterNet. March 2, 2009.

In a desperate re-branding effort, the notorious firm formerly known as Blackwater bids goodbye to its founder.

Blackwater by Any Other Name Would Still Smell Like Sh*t

ZP Heller, Brave New Films. February 14, 2009.

The war profiteer changes its name to try to escape its awful image.