![ECOMOG troops in Sierra Leone](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/making-soldiers-reuters.png)
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2002/11/Making-a-killing-big.png)
An ICIJ Investigation
Making a Killing
A handful of companies with connections to governments, and, sometimes organizations, have profited from war commerce.
![ECOMOG troops in Sierra Leone](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/making-soldiers-reuters.png)
- Amid the military downsizing and increasing number of small conflicts that followed the end of the Cold War, governments turned increasingly to private military companies to intervene on their behalf in war zones around the globe.
- Often, these companies work as proxies for national or corporate interests, whose involvement is buried under layers of secrecy.
- A handful of individuals and companies with connections to governments, multinational corporations and, sometimes, criminal syndicates in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East have profited from this war commerce – a growth industry whose bottom line never takes into account the lives it destroys.
Making A Killing
![Photo: Shutterstock](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2017/10/1200920-diamond1.jpg)
Nov 18, 2002
Drugs, diamonds and deadly cargoes
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/mk-Denis-Sassou-Nguesso-is-sworn-in-as-president-in-October-1997-Reuters.png)
Nov 15, 2002
The field marshal
Africa
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/makingakilling-title-fb.png)
Nov 11, 2002
The adventure capitalist
Making A Killing
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/MK-Illegal-diamond-diggers-in-then-UNITA-held-territories-of-northwestern-Angola-Reuters-.png)
Nov 08, 2002
Conflict diamonds are forever
Making A Killing
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2002/11/mk-Despite-Equatorial-Guinea’s-oil-wealth-most-residents-live-in-squalor-GrossmanAfricaphotos.com_.png)
Nov 06, 2002
The curious bonds of oil diplomacy
Making A Killing
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/mk-spicer-leaves-court-reuters.png)
Oct 30, 2002
Marketing the new ‘Dogs of War’
Making A Killing
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2002/10/Making-a-killing.png)
Oct 28, 2002
Making a Killing Key Findings
Making A Killing
![](https://media.icij.org/uploads/2012/03/1979-Sonangol-GettyImages-744418-scaled.jpg)