In an era of increasing integration and strategic interdependence, the ability for nations to fight and operate together has never been more critical.

The Institute for the Study of Coalitions, Alliances, and Military Partnerships (ISCAMP)1 examines the full spectrum of military multilateralism, from formal alliances and battlefield coalitions to regional security initiatives and joint operational commands.

Our research documents the ways in which modern armed forces enhance interoperability, standardization, and integration across national and institutional boundaries. We analyze the evolution of multinational headquarters, the effectiveness of collective defense frameworks, and the role of peacetime military partnerships in shaping global security dynamics. Whether studying NATOs joint command structures, coalition warfare in complex theaters, or emerging minilateral security groupings, we provide insight into the mechanisms that drive cooperation between allied and partner militaries.

As militaries navigate an increasingly complex security environment—where joint operations range from counterinsurgency to deterrence, from humanitarian assistance to stability operations—the Center serves as a hub for understanding how nations coordinate, collaborate, and ultimately succeed together. At a time when unilateralism competes with the enduring logic of military partnership, we remain committed to studying the past, present, and future of military cooperation in all its forms.

Contemporary Military Cooperation

We study an array of military partnerships, ranging in size from large multinational organizations and alliances to smaller bilateral and minilateral alignments.

ISCAMP Abbreviations

Peacetime Alliances, Coalitions & Minilaterals
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
NATO Partnership for Peace Program (PfP)
NATO Mediterranean Dialogue (MD)
NATO Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI)
NATOs Transnational Innovation Programs
Australia-United Kingdom-United States Security Partnership (AUKUS)
The Australia, New Zealand, and United States Security Treaty (ANZUS)
Five Eyes (FVEY) Intelligence Alliance
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (The Quad)
Ukraine & the West
Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG)
United Nations Command (UNC), South Korea
International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC)
Egypt-Iraq-Jordan Entente
The Axis of Upheaval (Russia, North Korea, Iran, China)
Command of Coalition Forces Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen
Arab-Israeli Alliance
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Peninsula Shield Force (PSF)
Proliferation Security Initiative
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
Council of South American Defense (CDS)
African Union Standby Force (ASF)
North African Region Capability (NARC)
Lublin Triangle
British-Polish-Ukrainian Trilateral Pact
Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC)
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Regional/Global Intergovernmental Organizations
United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
EU Security Committee
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
EU-UK Mutual Defence Agreement
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Organization of American States (OAS)
Group of Seven (G7)
Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA)
Central European Defence Commission (CEDC)
Alliance of Sahel States (AES)
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
BRICS
Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR/Rio Treaty)
Bilaterals (Non-Exhaustive List)2
US - Philippines (EDCA); Japan; Brazil; Israel; Republic of Korea (ROK); Pakistan; Taiwan; Greece (MDCA); Jordan (MDA); Kenya; Vietnam (SDP); Sweden; Finland; Denmark; Iceland; Poland; Romania; Bulgaria; Cypress; UAE (SDP); Saudi Arabia; Moroccan-American Treaty of Peace and Friendship; Qatar; India; Indonesia; Thailand; Tunisia; Kuwait; Bahrain; Oman; Niger; Djibouti; France; United Kingdom; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; Ukraine; Colombia; Singapore; Egypt; Germany
UK - France; Ukraine; Australia; Poland; Germany; Japan; Norway; Italy; Canada; Estonia; India; Saudi Arabia; South Korea; Taiwan; Israel; Greece
Germany - Poland
Australia - Indonesia (DCA); France; Japan
Turkey - Azerbaijan Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support; Pakistan
Franco-Greek Defense Agreement; France - Germany; UAE; India
Japan-ROK; Australia
Russia - Iran; China; North Korea; South Africa
Pakistan - Saudi Arabia; Turkey
India - Vietnam
Brazil - Argentina
Ongoing Military Missions
NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) - Since 1999
NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) - Since 2018
NATO Baltic Air Policing (BAP) - Since 2004
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) - Since 2017
NATO Response to Russia’s Invasion in Ukraine - Since 2022
Multinational Military Exercises
RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) (Pacific; Host: USINDOPACOM)
Defender Europe (Europe; Host: U.S. Army Europe & NATO)
Defender Pacific (Pacific; Host: USINDOPACOM)
Operation Pathways (U.S. Army Pacific)
Steadfast Defender (Various Locations; Host: NATO)
BALTOPS (Baltic Sea; Host: NATO & U.S.)
Cold Response (Arctic & Norway; Host: Norway & NATO)
Northern Edge (Arctic/Pacific; Host: U.S.)
Swift Response (Europe; Host: U.S. & NATO)
Aurora (Sweden & Baltic; Host: Sweden with NATO Participation)
Anakonda (Poland & NATO Countries; Host: Poland)
Talisman Sabre (Australia & Indo Pacific; Host: Australia & U.S.)
Cobra Gold (Thailand; Host: Thailand & U.S.)
Balikatan (Philippines; Host: Philippines & U.S.)
Malabar (Indian Ocean & Pacific; Host: India, U.S. Japan, Australia (Quad))
Eager Lion (Middle East; Host: Jordan with U.S., NATO, GCC participation)
Keen Sword (Pacific; Host: Japan & U.S.)
Super Garuda Shield (Pacific; Host: Indonesia & U.S.)
Atlantic Resolve (Eastern Europe; Host: U.S./NATO)
Emerald Warrior (Indo-Pacific; Host: U.S., Special Operations Forces (SOF) Exercise with NATO involvement)
Vostok (Far East, Arctic & Siberia; Host: Russia)
Zapad (Central Asia/Russia; Host: Russia & CSTO Allies)
Yudh Abhyas (India; Host: India & U.S.)
Aman (Multinational Naval Exercise; Host: Pakistan)
Shanti Prayas (UN-backed Multinational Humanitarian training; Host: Nepal)
Bright Star (Egypt; Host: Egypt & U.S.)
African Lion (North Africa; Host: Morocco & U.S.)
Red Flag (Nevada & Alaska; Host: U.S. Air Force)
Blue Flag (Israel; Host: Israeli Air Force)
Unitas (South America; Host; U.S. and Latin American Nations)
AmazonLog (Amazon Rainforest; Host: Brazil)
Cyber Flag (NATO; Host: U.S. Cyber Command)
Dynamic Mongoose (North Atlantic; Host: NATO)
Poseidon (Black Sea; Host: Romania & NATO)
Combined/Joint Military Commands
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
NATO and NATO-Interoperable Multinational Formations
NATO Supreme Headquarters:
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)
Allied Command Transformation (ACT)
NATO Joint Force Commands:
Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFC Branssum)
Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples)
Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk)
NATO Component & Regional Commands:
Allied Land Command (LANDCOM)
Allied Air Command (AIRCOM)
Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM)
NATO Cyber Operations Centre (CyOC)
NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA)
NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ)
NATO Rapid Reaction & Readiness Forces:
NATO Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDCs)
NATO Response Force (NRF) Headquarters
NATO Response Force (NRF)
NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF)
NATO Multinational Corps & Divisions:
(Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC-NE)
Multinational Corps South-East (MNC-SE)
Multinational Division North (MND-N)
Multinaitional Division South-East (MND-SE)
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroups
NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (AARC)
Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)
U.S. Geographic Combat Commands under the Unified Command Plan (UCP):
U.S. Indo Pacific Command (INDOPACOM)
U.S. European Command (EUCOM)
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)
U.S. Functional Combat Commands (FCCs):
U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM)
U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM)
U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM)
U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM)
Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs)
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR)
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA)
Africa Union Standby Force (ASF)
European Union Military Staff (EUMS)
U.S.-Japan Joint Military Command (U.S. Forces Japan)
U.S.-South Korea Combined Forces Command (CFC)
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Joint Staff
Russia-Belarus Union State Military Command
China-Pakistan Joint Military Command
China-Russia Joint Strategic Military Planning
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Military Command
Arab League Joint Military Force
South American Defense Council (CDS)
Regional Security Competition
Indo-Pacific
Eastern Europe
Central Asia
The Arctic
The Middle East
Other Topics of Interest
Capability Coalitions (UDCG)

A mural depicts the Anglo-American military partnership during World War II. On display at Eisenhower Hall, Combined Arms Research Library (CARL), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.A mural depicts the Anglo-American military partnership during World War II. On display at Eisenhower Hall, Combined Arms Research Library (CARL), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The History of Coalition and Alliance Warfare

Our research encompasses more than our ever-evolving present. Coalitions and alliances have shaped the course of warfare for centuries, from the grand multinational campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars to the joint and combined military operations of the 21st century.

We believe that understanding the successes and failures of past military partnerships is essential to navigating today’s complex security landscape.

Delving into historical case studies, our research examines how diverse nations have coordinated strategy, integrated forces, and overcome the challenges of interoperability, logistics, and complex command and control systems.

We explore how alliances have adapted to shifting geopolitical realities, from the balance-of-power diplomacy of the 19th century to the collective defense strategies of NATO and beyond. By studying these historical precedents, we provide policymakers, military professionals, and scholars with valuable insights into the enduring principles—and persistent challenges—of multinational military cooperation.

As modern coalitions face new threats ranging from hybrid warfare to regional instability, the lessons of history remain more relevant than ever.

Historical Database3
Antiquity
The Medic Wars - The Hellenic League
The Peloponnesian Wars - Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues
The Punic Wars: Rome & Allies versus Carthage & Allies
Military partnerships during Pax Romana
Medieval Europe
The Sacking of Rome: Vandals & Barbarians
Wars of Scottish Independence: The Auld Alliance
The Crusades
The Hundred Years’ War
Early Modern
The Thirty Years War: Catholic League v. Protestant
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Eighty Years War (1568–1648)
Age of Enlightenment
The Seven Years War (1756–1763)
The American Revolution (1775–1783)
European Coalitions and the Napoleonic Wars (1792–1815)
The Concert of Europe (Holy Alliance, Quintuple Alliance) (1815–1914)
The Crimean War (1853–1856)
The Treaty of the Triple Alliance (1882)
Modern Warfare
The Boxer Rebellion (1900–1901)
World War I: The Triple Entente versus the Central Powers (1914–1918)
World War II: The Grand Alliance/United Nations versus the Axis (1939–1945)
The Korean War (1950–1953)
The Vietnam War (1955–1975)
The Western Union (1948)
The Warsaw Pact (1955–1991)
NATO during the Cold War (1949–1991)
Exercise Reforger
Desert Storm and the Gulf War (1991)
NATO post-Cold War (1991–Present)
- International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - Afghanistan (2001–2014)
- Resolute Support Mission (RSM) - Afghanistan (2015–2021)
- Operation Unified Protector - Libya (2011)
- NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I) (2004–2011)
- Operation Ocean Shield - Counter Piracy (2009–2016)
- NATO-led Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina: IFOR & SFOR (1995–2004)
- NATO Air Campaign over Yugoslavia (Operation Allied Force) (1999)
- NATO Air Patrols in the Balkans (1993–2004)
Operation Iraqi Freedom: The War in Iraq (2003–2011)
Operation Enduring Freedom: The War in Afghanistan (2003–2021)
The Russo-Ukraine War (2014–)
The Return of Great Power Competition: USA & West v. China & Revisionist States (2008–Present)

The Face of Coalition Warfare

Coalition warfare is more than just a collection of allied forces—it is a dynamic fusion of command structures, logistics networks, political considerations, cultural differences, and operational coordination. At the Institute for the Study of Coalitions, Alliances, and Military Partnerships, we break down the complexities of military multilateralism, making them accessible and applicable to both experts and the general public.

Through in-depth analysis and clear, engaging presentation, we explore how multinational forces navigate challenges such as language barriers, interoperability gaps, and political constraints while striving for unity of effort in the field. We shed light on the vital roles of liaison officers, joint command frameworks, and standardized logistics, illustrating how successful coalitions synchronize their capabilities to achieve strategic objectives.

By translating these intricate themes into intelligible insights, the Center bridges the gap between academic scholarship, military practitioners, and policymakers—ensuring that the lessons of coalition warfare are both understood and applied in today’s rapidly evolving security environment.

Core Concepts
Command Politics Class & Gender
Control Equipment Discipline
Integration Goals Traditions & Customs
Leadership Strategy Training
Interoperability Intelligence Security Assistance
Culture Liaison Joint Operations
Legitimacy Language Combined Operations




  1. Note: This is a long-term, open-ended project of mine.↩︎

  2. MDA: Mutual Defence Agreement; MDCA: Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement; RAA: Reciprocal Access Agreement; DCA: Defence Cooperration Agreement; EDCA: Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement; SDP: Strategic Defense Partnership.↩︎

  3. This list is constantly evolving and growing.↩︎