Alliance nations strive to field compatible military systems, structure common procedures, and develop contingency plans to meet potential threats. As forces of these nations plan and train together, they develop mutual trust and respect. While alliances form the basis for responding to a variety of regional threats, new coalitions, such as Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, emerge to meet future national strategic requirements. Coalitions, which are created for limited purposes and for a limited length of time, do not afford military planners the same political resolve and commonality of aim as alliances. Thus, planners must closely study the political goals of each participant as a precursor to detailed planning.
Political considerations weigh more heavily with coalitions than with alliance operations.
Multinational military operations are not new. Since human nature has not changed, regional conflicts over territory, religion, politics, and economics, such as those that prompted previous military operations, will continue to be widespread. The precise role of land forces in these operations will vary according to each political and military situation. The United States' strategic principal of collective security caused the United States to join several alliances and form coalitions. This requires the Army to conduct multinational military operations with forces from other nations.