text: Introduction
  Whenever commonality of interests exists, nations enter political, economic, or military partnerships, or
  combinations thereof. These partnerships occur in regional and worldwide patterns as nations seek
  opportunities to promote their mutual national interests, ensure mutual security against real or perceived
  threats, gain international or binational influence, conduct foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
  operations, conduct peace operations, and promote their ideals. Cultural, diplomatic, informational, military,
  economic, religious, psychological, technological, and political factors all influence the formation and
  conduct of multinational operations.
  America’s interests are global, but its focus is regional. Existing alliances and past coalitions reflect that
  focus. Allied participants establish formal standardization agreements for operational objectives. As forces
  of these nations plan and train together, they develop mutual trust and respect. Allied nations strive to field
  compatible military systems, structure common procedures, and develop contingency plans to meet potential
  regional threats. For example, the United States is currently a member of the following multilateral alliances
  and agreements:
  • United Nations (UN).
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
  • American, British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand (ABCANZ) Armies Program.
  • Defense and cooperation treaties with the Republic of Korea (known as ROK) and Japan.
  • Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance.
  Terminology for a coalition or an alliance has evolved. Commonly used terms include allied, bilateral,
  coalition, multinational, combined, or multilateral. This manual uses the term multinational. In almost all
  usages except NATO, multinational replaced the older term combined. Nuanced language includes the
  following:
  • An alliance forms the basis for responding to broad or long-term objectives between two or more
  nations with a common interest.
  • A multinational coalition is formed for a specific purpose and for a limited time. It does not afford
  military planners the same political resolve and commonality of aim as alliances. Coalitions such as
  OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and OPERATION NEW DAWN have emerged to meet national
  strategic requirements.
  • Joint and U.S. Army forces conduct multinational operations with mission partners. Mission
  partners typically include partners outside the Department of Defense (DOD) with whom the DOD
  cooperates to achieve national goals. These partners can include individuals or departments from—
  ▪ Other departments and agencies of the federal, state, local, and host-nation governments.
  ▪ Multinational forces and forces of allies and foreign partners.
  ▪ Nongovernmental organizations.
  ▪ Academia.
  ▪ Businesses in the private sector.
  • Unified action partners is an Army-specific term for combined U.S. forces and mission partners
  with whom U.S. Army forces plan, coordinate, synchronize, and integrate during the conduct of
  operations. Unified action partners include joint forces (activities in which elements of two or more
  U.S. military departments participate); other departments and agencies of the federal, state, local,
  and host-nation governments; multinational forces; forces of allies and foreign partners;
  nongovernmental organizations; members of academia; and businesses in the private sector.
  The precise role of land forces in multinational operations will vary according to each political and military
  situation. The U.S. Army participates in multinational operations for three reasons:
  • Only land forces hold terrain and control populations.
  • The U.S. Army structure contains capabilities other Services do not have.
  • Soldiers on the ground clearly demonstrate political resolve.