State Sovereignty and Private Military and Security Companies in Australia

Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) as active participants within global security environments has increased in the last two decades exponentially. States have progressively incorporated PMSCs their functions, both domestically internationally. Since conflict Iraq early 2000s, there been numerous plausible reports of violating international humanitarian law. Despite this, only a few ever prosecuted, suggesting fundamental challenge to understandings regarding state control monopoly over violence. Utilising historical case study an Australian PMSC Operation Iraqi Freedom, this article argues that undermine sovereign legitimacy. It demonstrates how oversight accountability its use is significantly fractured current regulatory mechanisms concerning are deficient. Thus, government's ability provide actions diminished, affecting legitimacy monopolise The overall conveys dubious position states come into when use-of-force wielded by actors for distinct material incentives.