Afghanistan President Karzai has railed for years against the large number of “guns-for-hire” in the country, arguing that private security companies skirt the law. Today is the deadline for foreign private security firms in Afghanistan to hand over to government forces, meaning a force of 40,000 private guards will be replaced by around 6,000 Afghan government guards. How well trained are these local guards? How is this move being seen by those that have relied on foreign security firms? David Loyn is a correspondent for our partner the BBC.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!