The controversial ‘Human Terrain’ program that sees social scientists integrated with US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan has hit more trouble, according to Wired.

The Danger Room blog says at least a third of the programme’s employees have quit:

In February, the program’s managers gave everyone in the 27 Human Terrain Teams (HTT) stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan a choice. Either they could choose to be converted from a generously-paid contractor to a less-well-compensated government employee. Or they could step down.

So far, 82 overseas Human Terrain employees have agreed to make the switch. Many others did not. As of February, there were between 135 and 243 HTT members.

Danger Room also highlights a recent Boston Globe story, which suggests Obama would like to see an expansion of the Human Terrain programme.

Controversy has followed the programme since its inception. A number of employees have died and one has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. In December a Nature editorial said, “Unless the programme can be reborn in a format less plagued by deadly mistakes, it needs to be closed down.”

Image: a Human Terrain Team take notes while speaking with locals in Afghanistan / US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Casteel