I think the example of Today's Word about "condottieres" meaning Pakistanis fighting in Kashmir is not really appropriate. The Pakistanis believe deeply in the cause for which they are fighting. The condottieres typically fought only for pay. Incidentally one of the most successful and most vicious of them was an Englishman, Sir John Hawkwood.

http://www.telepath.com/hawkwood/hawkwood.htm