An American Foreign Legion in the 21st Century: Rethinking the United States' Fight in Unwinnable Wars

The character of war has changed from established state-on-state warfare to conflict against ideologies and competition below the threshold of traditional armed conflict. To maintain national security interests, the U.S. and Department of Defense must adapt by providing solutions to the new reality of warfare. During the era of colonization, France and Spain established foreign legions to protect their investments abroad. An American Foreign Legion concept could produce many of the same protections. The Department of Defense currently recruits, organizes, trains, and equips foreign forces to achieve the same would-be-objectives as an American Foreign Legion. Section 127e of the U.S. Code gives Special Operations Forces the ability to employ these forces for U.S. interests against terrorist organizations. Increased funding and authority to 127e programs would provide the Department of Defense the ability to maintain long-term regional influences, more effectively respond to emerging threats and crises, and exploratory options in regions without a current U.S. presence. Marine Corps Special Operations could serve as the global manager of the expanded 127e programs to enable long-term continuity.