… according to Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte. Is this going to be like the provincial elections, where they agree to not agree yet about the hard things, and then sign off on the decisions that were reached months ago? Since the contested presence and status of military contractors is such a sensitive issue, for obvious reasons, that seems unlikely; that also makes it more likely that “close” isn't all that close. More synthesis from the LA Times.

For a thorough discussion of the issues that regulating contractors presents from a US standpoint, and the urgent need for some regulation, you can listen to the podcasts of this event, Privatizing Defense: Blackwater, Contractors, and American Security, by searching for “Center on Law and Security” and scrolling throught the podcasts to find the Blackwater ones. I was at this event, since I worked at the Center at the time, and I assure you the panels are well worth a listen.