Private Security Companies and Their Role in International Relations: The Wagner Company as a Model

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of "Private Security Companies" (PSCs) as influential non-state actors in contemporary international relations, focusing on the Russian "Wagner Group" as a case study. The research problem centers on analyzing the extent to which the military activities of such companies affect state foreign policies as well as regional and international security. This is particularly crucial given the growing trend of the "privatization of security" and the reliance of major powers on PSCs as tools to execute geopolitical and economic strategies and secure natural resources, thereby bypassing domestic legal restrictions and international repercussions associated with deploying regular armies. Utilizing both a historical approach to trace the evolution of these companies and an analytical approach to evaluate their behavioral patterns in conflict zones (such as Libya), the study tests the hypothesis that the role of PSCs—specifically the Wagner Group—is no longer confined to providing traditional security services. Instead, it has expanded to play a pivotal role in reshaping international relations, directly influencing armed conflicts, power balances, and inter-state dynamics, while posing severe legal and ethical challenges regarding human rights violations and adherence to international law.