"We're low cost and fast. The question is, who's going to let us play on their team?" -Cofer Black, Vice Chairman

Blackwater is a private army for hire.

In 1997, Erik Prince founded Blackwater, expanding the family's Christian conservative empire into private security and war for hire. Erik is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and son of the late billionaire automotive parts supplier, Edgar Prince.
Read more in Matt O's backgrounder on the reclusive founder →

LATEST FROM THE MOVIE BLOG

04/30: One of the countries most dangerous men: Erik Prince by Jesse Haff
04/24: An Evening with Jeremy Scahill by Jesse Haff
04/13: Resistance to proposed Blackwater base increasing by Jesse Haff
04/04: Blackwater facing growing protest over new base by Jesse Haff
03/29: Sabotage suspected in incident involving Blackwater by Jesse Haff
03/16: Time revists the Fallujah massacre by Jesse Haff
02/27: Justice Prevails, For Now by Jesse Haff
02/20: Exposing the Contractor Chain by Jesse Haff
02/12: More details on Blackwater Christmas Eve Murder by Jesse Haff
02/09: Army cites potential breach in contract from Halliburton by Jesse Haff
02/09: Testimony reveals Blackwater abuse, negligence by Jesse Haff
02/07: Ted Koppel pushing the Blackwater agenda by Jesse Haff
02/06: New Congress to put Blackwater on the hot seat by Jesse Haff
01/23: Blackwater silent after helicopter shot down, killing five by Jesse Haff
01/19: Outrageous: Blackwater sues plaintiffs for $10 million by Jim Gilliam

BACKGROUND RESEARCH

• Jeremy Scahill's articles on Blackwater and Hurricane Katrina reconstruction:
  • Mercenary Jackpot (9/10/2006, The Nation)
  • Blackwater Down (9/21/2005, The Nation)
  • Blood is Thicker Than Blackwater (5/8/2006, The Nation)
  • In the Black(water) (6/5/2006, The Nation)
• SourceWatch overview
• Blackwater: Inside America's Private Army (7/23/2006, The Virginian-Pilot)
• 7 part series on Blackwater and the Fallujah massacre (11/28/2005, Jay Price, News & Observer)
• Hired guns unaccountable (5/23/2004, Jay Price, News & Observer)
• BUSH WINS FOUR MORE YEARS!! HOOYAH!! (11/8/2004, Blackwater Tactical Weekly)
• Peace Corp. (4/23/2006, Boston Globe)
• These Dogs Don't Hunt (7/9/2004, American Prospect)
• Need an Army? Just Pick Up the Phone (4/2/2004, Barry Yeoman, New York Times op-ed)

CONTACT BLACKWATER

Mr. Erik Prince
Prince Group
1660 International Dr., Suite 47
McLean, VA 22102