Throughout Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, the United States employs private military contractors to carry out its objectives. While US firms dominate the market, warlords and militias have restyled themselves as private security companies in places like Afghanistan and Somalia. These private entities have become an integral part of the United States' defense strategy — the US can no longer go to war without contractors. How does military contracting actually operate? What does the proliferation of private forces suggest about the future of war and international relations? Sean McFate, a former paratrooper in the US Army and previous employee of a military contractor, will discuss these questions and share his unique perspective on this growing industry. This event is presented in partnership with the Marines' Memorial Association. Speaker Sean McFate is Assistant Professor at the National Defense University, and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. The conversation will be moderated by Christopher Starling, Director of Military and Veteran Affairs, Marines’ Memorial Club. For more information about this event please visit: http://www.worldaffairs.org/events/event/1425