Blackwater's ways have long been known

It is deeply tragic that it takes the death of 11 civilians to call attention to the long-known shadow army, 40,000 strong, operating in Iraq.

Blackwater is not alone among shadow operations of US corporations operating outside scrutiny and international sanctions in Iraq.

clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk Security firms face inquiry after 11 Iraqis die Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, described the shooting on Sunday as "criminal" while a senior judge threatened the company with prosecution. The incident has outraged Iraqis and revived controversy of the "shadow army" of up to 40,000 foreign armed guards who protect diplomats, airports and reconstruction projects in Iraq but are seen as operating above the law. "This came after the flagrant assault conducted by members of the American security company Blackwater against Iraqi citizens." A US private security officer