Throughout history, foreign fighters have left their homes to join struggles abroad—often for causes with no direct connection to their own security or interests. From the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War to contemporary volunteers in Ukraine or Syria, these individuals make choices that defy simple explanation, blending idealism, identity, adventure, and sometimes trauma into powerful motivations that lead them onto distant battlefields.

The reasons are as varied as the volunteers themselves. Some are driven by ideological conviction—like the 40,000 international volunteers who joined the Spanish Civil War to fight fascism, including writers like George Orwell. Others seek belonging or purpose, especially those experiencing alienation or crisis in their home societies. For example, some foreign fighters in modern conflicts like Syria or Iraq came from marginalized backgrounds and found meaning in extremist groups offering identity and empowerment.

Adventure and financial incentive also play roles. The French Foreign Legion famously attracted recruits seeking reinvention, while mercenaries in African conflicts often profit from their skills. Yet, even here, motives mix—many volunteers describe a desire to be part of something larger than themselves.

Psychological factors cannot be overlooked. Trauma, personal loss, or a history of violence may propel some toward armed conflict as a way to process past experiences or reclaim agency. Others are inspired by religious or moral duty, such as those who journeyed to defend communities threatened by genocide or extremism.

The legacy of foreign fighters is complex. While some are celebrated as heroes—like the volunteers who joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022—others are condemned as terrorists or destabilizing agents. What remains clear is that these individuals embody a timeless paradox: the human capacity for both extraordinary courage and dangerous fanaticism, often rooted in the same desire—to matter, to belong, and to forge meaning in a world that often feels indifferent.

Their stories challenge us to look beyond simplistic labels and understand the profound needs—and sometimes vulnerabilities—that lead people to wars not their own.

Throughout history, foreign fighters have left their homes to join struggles abroad—often for causes with no direct connection to their own security or interests. From the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War to contemporary volunteers in Ukraine or Syria, these individuals make choices that defy simple explanation, blending idealism, identity, adventure, and sometimes trauma into powerful motivations that lead them onto distant battlefields.

The reasons are as varied as the volunteers themselves. Some are driven by ideological conviction—like the 40,000 international volunteers who joined the Spanish Civil War to fight fascism, including writers like George Orwell. Others seek belonging or purpose, especially those experiencing alienation or crisis in their home societies. For example, some foreign fighters in modern conflicts like Syria or Iraq came from marginalized backgrounds and found meaning in extremist groups offering identity and empowerment.

Adventure and financial incentive also play roles. The French Foreign Legion famously attracted recruits seeking reinvention, while mercenaries in African conflicts often profit from their skills. Yet, even here, motives mix—many volunteers describe a desire to be part of something larger than themselves.

Psychological factors cannot be overlooked. Trauma, personal loss, or a history of violence may propel some toward armed conflict as a way to process past experiences or reclaim agency. Others are inspired by religious or moral duty, such as those who journeyed to defend communities threatened by genocide or extremism.

The legacy of foreign fighters is complex. While some are celebrated as heroes—like the volunteers who joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2022—others are condemned as terrorists or destabilizing agents. What remains clear is that these individuals embody a timeless paradox: the human capacity for both extraordinary courage and dangerous fanaticism, often rooted in the same desire—to matter, to belong, and to forge meaning in a world that often feels indifferent.

Their stories challenge us to look beyond simplistic labels and understand the profound needs—and sometimes vulnerabilities—that lead people to wars not their own.