ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the variety of ways that private security affects foreign policy. It also examines the implications of Private military and security companies (PMSCs) involvement in the foreign policy process. The chapter explores that domestically, reliance on PMSCs affects both the capacity of the state to make foreign policy decisions and what those decisions look like. It also explores that their actions have international effects as well, shaping state-to-state relations in numerous different ways. PMSCs provide logistical support both for state actors and for international operations supported by states such as humanitarian operations and reconstruction activities. Protection services are perhaps the foreign policy function most closely associated with PMSCs today. PMSCs have also undertaken activities associated with reconstruction after conflicts and humanitarian disasters. PMSCs have also played a large role in security sector reform efforts, which have been critical not only to peacebuilding after conflicts but also in promoting democratic governance of the armed forces and police.
