American Security Firm banned from Iraq

The Iraqi Interior Ministry revoked Blackwater USA's license to operate within their borders following a shootout that has left 8 civilians dead and another 13 injured. From WaPo:

"The 'civilians' who reportedly fired upon by Blackwater professionals were in fact armed enemies and Blackwater personnel returned defensive fire," company spokeswoman Anne Tyrrell said late Monday. "Blackwater regrets any loss of life, but this convoy was violently attacked by armed insurgents, not civilians, and our people did their job to defend human life."

Robert Young Pelton, an independent military analyst who spent a month with a Blackwater team in Baghdad while researching his book, "Licensed to Kill," said the contractors No. 1 priority is keeping their high-value clients alive. "The Blackwater guys are not fools," Pelton said. "If they were gunning down people it was because they felt it was the beginning of an ambush."

Blackwater has been a goto resource of many worldwide government and law enforcement agencies for security, training, armament, personnel, etc. Most notably, however, has been their impact within Iraq on the front lines in the War on Terror. If forced to leave, the Iraqi government will break over $800 million in contracts between Blackwater, Iraq, the United States and others.

This move by the Iraqi Interior seems to be misguided. Maybe its just me, but when the Iraqi Government and their citizens continue to ask for our help and support, maybe they shouldn't be shunning private security firms (or any security firms for that matter) that we have joint contracts with. These men are contracted as soldiers and security enforcement, and will act accordingly when engaged.

Question: Should they have not returned fire and held tight in order to avoid criticism from the Iraqi Interior (and others)? I'd like to think you all already know what I am going to say to that one...Seems to me that police officers get the same 20/20 hindsight reactions here at home when they use deadly force. This type of mindset can be very dangerous for soldiers, security personnel, and civilians in a hostile war environment.