What term describes a joint team formed between two or more nations for a common action?

A coalition refers to a temporary alliance formed between two or more nations or groups for a common purpose, usually in response to a specific issue or challenge. This term captures the essence of countries coming together to achieve a goal that may not align with their longer-term interests but is necessary for the immediate situation. Coalitions are often convened for military operations, humanitarian efforts, or to respond to global crises. They are typically formed based on shared interests and goals, allowing nations to pool resources and capabilities for greater effectiveness. This structure enables countries that might not have ongoing formal relationships to collaborate when circumstances necessitate united action.

In contrast, an alliance usually denotes a longer-term relationship with a formal agreement that solidifies the cooperation between nations over time. A partnership can be more general and may not specifically imply the joint military or operational goals characteristic of a coalition. A task force refers to a specific group formed to carry out a particular mission and is often a subset within a coalition or a larger organization, but does not inherently represent the multi-national aspect that defines a coalition.