In this project we are asking a very basic question—does using PMSCs in conflict areas increase or decrease the number of military casualties? To address this question, we will examine the connection between the number of private military and security contractors on the ground by month in Iraq and Afghanistan to the number of NATO casualties in those conflicts. 

We don’t know if higher number of PMSCs will lead to increase or decrease of military casualties. It could be that PMSC are sent to the most dangerous places instead of the soldiers or it is the other way around. It could be that PMSCs assume the non-combat roles, allowing redirecting more soldiers to active combat.