Legion Etrangere to Mali

When I read that France was sending troops to fight in former colony Mali, I wondered if they'd send the Foreign Legion. The answer is yes, see this Wall Street Journal article for more.

France has been policing their colonies and former colonies with the Legion for 180+ years. It is smart politics for two reasons. If the bodies of dead legionnaires are sent home, most don't come to France. Plus the Legion has a reputation for brutality, earned or otherwise, that causes opponents to avoid battle with them.