[Ciexyz]

Refer to the film "Proof of Life" (2000, starring Russell Crowe). The security business is a big international business. Its services are needed and it's a legitimate business. We're not talking mercenaries in the Congo here.

[shezza]

And I believe most of these "mercenaries" are hired by businesses to protect their interests/employees. It's not the job of U.S. soldiers to be security guards for a construction company or water plant engineers. But these workers do need protection in such a hostile place. Enter private security firms. (It's a supply-and-demand thing.)