We Created A Monster: Ex-Blackwater CEO Erik Prince Is Going Neocolonial With China

[n2doc]

What happens when America outsources its craziest security assignments to a private contractor, then throws him under the bus?

Answer: an object lesson in the craziness that awaits when he makes his next big move.

The Wall Street Journal sat down — in Hong Kong — with Erik Prince, former CEO of the notorious Blackwater firm. Guess what he’s doing there?

Now, sitting in a boardroom above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, he explains his newest title, acquired this month: chairman of Frontier Services Group, an Africa-focused security and logistics company with intimate ties to China’s largest state-owned conglomerate, Citic Group. Beijing has titanic ambitions to tap Africa’s resources—including $1 trillion in planned spending on roads, railways and airports by 2025—and Mr. Prince wants in.

Once, policymakers traded blame for “losing China.” Will anyone ask who lost Erik Prince?

Prince himself is clear about what sent him packing. Though the ordeal of falling out with the federal government was intense — Prince claims he was the top target of IRS auditors — that’s all in the past. It’s America’s future that has Prince turning to China. “”I would rather deal with the vagaries of investing in Africa,” he told the Journal, “than in figuring out what the hell else Washington is going to do to the entrepreneur next.” While America has lost its stomach for massive adventures, China “has the appetite to take frontier risk, that expeditionary risk of going to those less-certain, less-normal markets and figuring out how to make it happen.”

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamespoulos/2014/01/25/ex-blackwater-ceo-erik-prince-africa-neocolonial-with-china/

[tblue]

1. He's bad news.

Avoid him at all costs. And haven't African countries been exploited enough already?

[madokie]

2. They'll have no qualms

in beheading his sorry ass over there.

[DetlefK]

3. China is plundering and poisoning Africa. And Prince wants some of that sweet blood-money.

A continent rife with ressources and weak governments. A mercenary's wet dream.

[Fred Sanders]

7. You hyperbole is not justified, China is doing what the colonial powers started and did not finish

in Africa...building infrastructure....sure they have their own motives, but the infrastructure is badly needed.

[localroger]

16. Well they're not doing much for Madagascar

They don't seem to be getting much out of it as their hardwood forests are clear-cut and sent to China. And Madagascar makes much of Africa look like the First World by comparison.

[former9thward]

18. It is true they are building infrastructure.

But they are doing it to remove resources from the continent.

[CFLDem]

4. Sounds pretty exciting to me.

It has it all: adventure, innovation, and opportunity to make some decent coin.

I just might want to tag along on this wild ride if my current situation falters.

[libodem]

6. You need a sarcasm tag

I find that kind of exploitation morally bankrupt.

[CFLDem]

8. And I find it an enriching experience.

What's bankrupt about getting paid good money to improve economic activity for the locals while getting to experience new cultures?

[libodem]

10. Go join that private army and find out

I find mercenaries to be low life scum sucking pigs. Apparently money trumps lives.

[CFLDem]

13. Who said anything about mercenaries?

We're talking about logistics here.

[libodem]

14. What did you think Blackwater

Was? It is a mercenary expedition and nothing less. It is private security for the highest bidder. No loyalty to country or ethical values. All about the money. All about exploiting Africa now. They will torture and murder anyone in the way.

[CFLDem]

17. I'll just assume you're not in the expeditionary logistics industry.

There were two parts to blackwater: a mercenary business that killed people and broke their things, and an expeditionary logistics business that worked like a FedEx for remote/hostile business environments.

The former business is exactly what it is because Uncle Sam doesn't want to get his hands dirty.

Whereas the logistics business did many good things like deliver mail to soldiers, and supplies to aid groups, and drop off special forces units.

He's talking about doing the latter for Chinese companies. It's a shame he's not doing it for American ones.

I'd much Africa be shaped with American ideals.

[libodem]

15. Best of luck

In your search for a proper job. Your journal indicates you are looking for work.
You may be pretty desperate and truly thought you saw an interesting opportunity. Nothing personal. Best of luck to you on your job hunt.

[Lint Head]

5. Perfect subject for a drone. He is dangerous to the world and the equanimity of the human race.

[El_Johns]

9. A Devos working with commies. Will wonders never cease.

[jsr]

11. A perfect celestial match

[Rex]

12. He sounds like a soreloserman. He should fit right in with the dictatorship in China.

What a fucking waste of life he is...it is comical that he thinks he is an entrepreneur. Nothing more than a private butcher, his type will no doubt end up in Hell.