September 16, Nisour Square, Baghdad. Heavily-armed guards from Blackwater USA, on the job, opened fire, and left seventeen dead: men, women, and children.

In the weeks since, the world has opened fire on Blackwater, and the exploding, multi-billion dollar realm of super-charged private armies that it represents. The “mercenary industry” is the new tag. Gunfire, and much more, for hire.

Critics say those muscle-bound men in the wrap-around sunglasses are a threat far beyond Baghdad, and to more than kids in cars.

This hour, On Point: investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill on what Blackwater means.

-Tom Ashbrook

Guest:

Jeremy Scahill, author of “Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army.” He is a correspondent for Democracy Now, a national daily news program, and contributor to The Nation magazine.