I made this bad joke on Twitter saying, "I want to put in…
“I made this bad joke on Twitter saying, "I want to put in my first no-bid contract to train the Libyan army and police force." These counter-insurgency guys like to say, "We don't do the big F-16 or big boondoggle projects, we're not pulling this stuff because it's good business." But in fact it turns out there are tons of business opportunities involving counter-insurgency operations - and it's not like we're getting rid of the boondoggle programs either, we're just doing more of everything.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote highlights how lucrative contracts in counter‑insurgency are abundant, even for smaller, less glamorous projects, and how the industry expands by adding more such work.
In simple terms: Counter‑insurgency contracts are profitable and growing, even for modest projects.
Recognize the hidden profitability in niche security contracts.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government contracting
- private security firms
- policy analysis
- budget planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical dilemmas arise from profiting off conflict?
- How does this affect public perception of military spending?
The focus on profit may overlook ethical concerns and long‑term strategic costs.