This book identifies contemporary military coalition defections, builds a theoretical framework for understanding why coalition defection occurs and assesses its utility for both the scholarly and policy practitioner communities.

1: The Puzzle of Coalition “Defection”.- 2: Understanding Contemporary Military Coalitions and Coalition Defection.- 3: Canada in Afghanistan.- 4: The Netherlands in Afghanistan.- 5: Further Applying the Theoretical Framework.- 6: Implications, Reflections, Areas for Further Research.

This book identifies contemporary military coalition defections, builds a theoretical framework for understanding why coalition defection occurs and assesses its utility for both the scholarly and policy practitioner communities. Drawing upon the author’s own experiences managing the Afghanistan coalition for the Pentagon, the volume builds a relevant policy and practical understanding of some of the key aspects of contemporary coalition warfare. Ultimately, it concludes that coalition defection is prompted by heightened perceptions of political and military risk.  Yet the choice of how to defect— whether to completely withdraw forces or instead find another, less risky way to participate—is largely a function of international and alliance pressures to remain engaged.  
Kathleen J. McInnis is International Security Analyst for the Congressional Research Service and Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, USA.

“Kathleen J. McInnis has made an obscure topic into a timely study of great strategic importance. All U.S. strategy documents stress the importance of a stronger network of allies and partners. Few scholars have explored how and why partners sign up in collective security agreements, and even fewer have examined the manner in which coalitions dissolve as members opt out. Although McInnis demonstrates strong empirical rigor, this is a highly readable book that leverages her practical experience in the U.S. Defense Department with major policy implications for any major power serious about coalition formation and alliance leadership. How and Why States Defect from Contemporary Military Coalitions is strongly recommended for all graduate security studies program.” (F. G. Hoffman, National Defense University, USA, and Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute, UK)

Examines the critical role alliance politics play in determining post-Cold War coalition participation and defection Addresses the various different kinds of strategies that nations may employ to defect from coalitions Uses neoclassical realism as a lens through which to explore coalition defection

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