Democracy Now! Monday, June 2, 2008

Today's Headlines

• Iraqis Protest Looming Pact with US
• US Tenders New Iraq Contracts
• Australia Begins Withdrawing Troops from Iraq
• Clinton Wins Puerto Rico Primary
• DNC Rules on Seating Florida, Michigan Delegates
• Montana, South Dakota to Host Final Primaries
• Obama Breaks Ties with Chicago Church
• Israel Starts New Settlement Construction in Occupied Territories
• US State Dept. Reverses Denial of Fulbright Grants to Palestinian Students
• Activists, Farmers Hold Parallel Food Summit in Rome
• Group: US Holding Foreign Prisoners on Naval Vessels
• Gitmo Judge Removed from Khadr Trial
• Crimical Charges in Immigration Cases at Record High

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  Blackwater: From the Nisour Square Massacre to the Future of the Mercenary Industry

  The private military firm Blackwater has gone from being a relatively unknown contractor working in Iraq to a household name and the subject of multiple investigations, lawsuits and congressional inquiries. In the meantime, the company continues to reap millions of dollars in profits and was recently awarded a new contract from the State Department. Last year, Democracy Now! correspondent and Nation Fellow, Jeremy Scahill, published his book Blackwater: The Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army. The book quickly landed on the New York Times bestseller list and helped frame the debate that was to come. With the book’s paperback release in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, Jeremy Scahill joins us for the hour. [includes rush transcript–partial]