Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

The degree to which members of a military or political alliance maintain unity and cooperation in pursuing common goals. It affects the alliance's effectiveness and durability.

A situation where a state is dragged into an unwanted conflict due to obligations to an ally under a security agreement.

A group of delegates or countries with similar interests or policies collaborating to advance common goals.

The distribution of costs, responsibilities, and risks among states or actors in collective security arrangements or international coalitions.

Collective defense is a security arrangement where an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members of an alliance.

A formal agreement between states to come to each other's defense if either is attacked. Such alliances aim to deter aggression by promising collective military response.