If a common ROE cannot be created with multinational partners, what do U.S. forces do?

• A. They must not engage at all
• B. They must follow partner's ROE regardless
• C. They must escalate to war
• D. U.S. forces will exercise the rights of self-defense

Answer: (D)

When there is no commonROE with multinational partners, U.S. forces rely on the inherent right of self-defense under international law. This baseline authority allows troops to respond to threats to themselves, their partners, or the mission in a necessary and proportional way, even before a coalition-wide ROE is agreed. It provides a legal and practical means to protect personnel and assets while avoiding paralysis waiting for a unified rule set. In practice, commanders will act to neutralize threats and will seek to align with a formal ROE as soon as it can be established, but self-defense remains the legitimate, default basis for action.

Not engaging at all would leave forces vulnerable and risk their mission; following a partner's ROE is not feasible if no common ROE exists; escalating to war requires formal authorization and a broader legal and political framework beyond the immediate self-defense scenario.