It seems to me there's a vast grey area between an innocent translator (giving you the benefit of the doubt here, Amos) and a battle-hardened mercenary. The problem is accountability. If these people are not under direct military command, you have, in effect, a bunch of loose cannons running around doing who-knows-what. We're in bad enough trouble in Iraq without that.

And yes, if you're making a profit from this illegal and immoral occupation, I will call that profiteering. Any man, woman, or company of integrity would make a point of having nothing to do with this operation, if not for ethical principles, then for fear of taint by association.

Cheers,
Michael