The Security Cooperation Toolkit and the Future of Great Power Competition

Abstract

Great powers conduct defense and security cooperation to achieve national interests, usually with an expectation to garner influence with partners. Sometimes the result is contrary to a great power’s intent. Essential factors that contribute to defense and security cooperation effectiveness include: communication, commitment, interests, and coordinated plans. The US approach to security cooperation is grounded in noble intent, but in some cases falls short when compared to its competitors. Russia and China are more transactional in their approaches and have achieved marginal success in their own ways. This article examines great power defense and security cooperation with partners in Africa to assess relative advantages and disadvantages.