How would you articulate the difference between allies and partners?

2023-09-06T00:25:55-04:00

In 2016 I was speaking to a group of freshly minted Captains attending their Captain's Career Course. A Captain asked me to explain the difference between Allies and Partners. "Partners only get lines in a speech; Allies get real commitment and love," was my response. I heard that somewhere else but I claimed it as my own.

Fast forward to this past Labor Day weekend. I was asked if Ukraine was a U.S. Partner or a U.S. Allie. This question exposed logical arguments that debunked the explanation I gave to those Captains. Although Ukraine is treated as a NATO ally in all but name, Ukraine is nonetheless still a strategic partner. So that was my response, but I added that "the U.S.-Ukraine strategic partnership lacks both strategy and partnership."

How on or off track is this?

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Sep 6 at 2023 6:06 AM

2023-09-06T06:06:59-04:00

Comments?

Response by COL Randall C. made Sep 6 at 2023 8:27 AM

2023-09-06T08:27:09-04:00

First, you have to define the question, because it's like arguing if the United States is a"Democracy" or a "Republic" because the answer is 'yes' to either depending at which level you're asking about or in which context (Type of political system? Implementation of a social-political system? Form of governance?)

Historically that view from an international relations view depended on the formality of the relationship, but in the past years the terms have run together or used together (it always seems that our State Department talks about "Allies and Partners" instead of one of the other).

From DoD's view, allies are countries with which we have formal, long-term relationships built on shared values and common forward momentum. Partnerships usually focus on something mutually beneficial during a specific amount of time or for specific circumstances. In this context, our relationship with Ukraine is a partnership.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2023 2:43 PM

2023-09-06T14:43:18-04:00

Allies have a common goal; Partners have a common task to complete.

Response by CAPT Jeff Oakey made Sep 9 at 2023 8:04 PM

2023-09-09T20:04:12-04:00

I would have challenged your response to the Captains. Allies are those with which we have formal defense agreements: NATO, Japan, ROK, Australia/AUKUS, etc. Partners are those we have informal agreements with, which are usually more focused in scope: Singapore, India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt were the classic examples, but Ukraine is now the one foremost on our minds.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Sep 10 at 2023 8:20 PM

2023-09-10T20:20:36-04:00

I don't know. I've never really had either.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 22 at 2023 5:17 PM

2023-09-22T17:17:20-04:00

IMO Allies are the result of a treaty obligating the US to support another nation-state diplomatically, militarily, with information (share intel), or economically. I view a partner as more of an executive handshake. Not necessarily a paper agreement. The Senate gets involved in treaties, so they are much more formal, and allies are carefully considered from several points of view before a treaty is ratified. Partnerships don't Constitutionally require the Senate to act. Based on this point of view Ukraine may be a partner, but not an ally. Certainly not a NATO Ally.