Backlight: The Carlyle Connection A revealing documentary about the international world of private equity banking
Now that the war in Iraq is over, Washington has claimed a leading role for itself in the reconstruction of post-war Iraq. After the destruction of the country by the coalition forces, it is now mainly American companies who get the contract for rebuilding the new Iraq. In many cases these companies are run by people who are closely connected to Capitol Hill.
The Carlyle Group, one of the largest investments banks in the world, is based in Washington and has accumulated its capital mainly by investments in the defense industry. On their list of employees are people like Lou Gerstner (former chairman of IBM), George Bush Sr., James Baker III, John Major (former British Prime Minister) and Fidel Ramos (former Prime Minister of the Philippines). The Carlyle Group invests in areas that are closely tied to government policy: aero space and defense, telecom, real estate, health care and the banking business. With 16 billion dollar under management they have the reputation of being the best-connected company in the world. Their list of private investors include George Soros, the Saudi Royal Family and the Bin Laden family.
How does the Carlyle Group operate, who are the people behind the Carlyle Group and how much power does Carlyle have? This film explores the fine line between the conflict of interests and a new global way of doing business.
