With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Blackwater denies covert CIA help

It reported that the raids revealed a greater level of involvement between the spy agency and Blackwater than previously acknowledged by either.

Blackwater said it was "never under contract to participate in covert raids with CIA or Special Operations".

It was employed to provide security at bases for CIA staff.

In response to the New York Times article, a spokesman for Blackwater - now called Xe Services - said: "Blackwater USA was never under contract to participate in covert raids with CIA or Special Operations personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else.

"Any allegation to the contrary by any news organisation would be false."

Read entire article at BBC