Colin Clarke: The Perils of Foreign Fighters and Mercenaries Heading to Ukraine

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Colin Clarke describes how Ukraine has become a center of gravity for foreign fighters and mercenaries and provides a background for those joining the legion. He explains the logistical, organizational, and operational challenges waiting for them on the battlefield and discusses whether their participation can make a difference in the overall dynamic of the war. Discussing legal and operational challenges, he provides his insights on to what extent the governments should allow volunteer fighters to join the fight. Finally, he explains Russian efforts to deploy mercenaries to join the war and discusses whether the internationalized context of the war can lead Ukraine to be a battleground for prolonged proxy warfare. 

Colin Clarke is a Senior Research Fellow at The Soufan Center. He is the Director of Research at The Soufan Group. His research focuses on domestic and transnational terrorism, international security, and geopolitics. Prior to joining The Soufan Group, Dr. Clarke was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation. Dr. Clarke has published numerous articles and books on terrorism, insurgency, and international security, including his most recent, After the Caliphate: The Islamic State and the Future Terrorist Diaspora.