“Security Force Assistance-like activities conducted with formal allies in security organisations such as NATO can serve to reinforce collective defence. Here, military-to-military training activities help to strengthen the credibility of collective military commitments by improving inter-operability, building mutual trust and signalling political resolve.” – Dr Alex Neads – Assistant Professor of International Security in the Durham Global Security Institute, part of the School of Government & International Affairs at Durham University – examines the utility of Security Force Assistance in the contemporary operating environment.