What term describes a formal agreement between nations for broad, long-term objectives?

An alliance refers to a formal agreement between nations to achieve broad, long-term objectives. This term is often used in a political or military context, where countries come together to enhance their security, foster economic cooperation, or pursue shared interests. Alliances can take various forms, such as defense pacts or strategic partnerships, and are characterized by their intent to create lasting relationships that benefit the participating nations.

Coalitions typically refer to temporary alliances formed for a specific purpose, such as achieving a short-term military objective or addressing a particular challenge. Confederations involve a union of sovereign groups or states that delegate certain powers to a central authority while retaining significant autonomy. Partnerships can encompass a wide range of cooperative arrangements but do not necessarily imply the formal, structured agreements that alliances do, focusing instead on mutually beneficial interactions that may be less binding in nature.