Using strategic culture to understand participation in expeditionary operations: Australia, Poland, and the coalition against the Islamic State

Figures & data

Table 1. Cultural elements and theoretical expectations.

Element	Expectations on military participation in the anti-ISIS coalition
Dominant threat perception	(1) If the dominant perceived threat is terrorism, the likelihood of participation increases (2) If the dominant perceived threat is a state, the likelihood of participation decreases
Core task of the armed forces	(1) If expeditionary defense is the core task, the likelihood of participation increases (2a) If territorial defense is the core task, and if participation is perceived to strengthen territorial defense, the likelihood of participation increases (2b) If territorial defense is the core task, and if participation is not perceived to strengthen territorial defense, the likelihood of participation decreases
Cooperative frameworks	(1) If coalitions of the willing have been deemed appropriate in earlier interventions, the likelihood of participation increases (2) If coalitions of the willing have not been deemed appropriate in earlier interventions, the likelihood of participation decreases
International legality	(1) If a clear legal mandate has not been deemed necessary in earlier interventions, the likelihood of participation in the intervention into Syria increases (2) If a clear legal mandate has been deemed necessary in earlier interventions, the likelihood of participation in the intervention into Syria decreases
Strategic partner(s)	(1) If the strategic partner is the coalition leader, the likelihood of participation increases (2) If the strategic partner is not the coalition leader, the likelihood of participation decreases

Table 2. Main aspects of Australian and Polish strategic cultures.

Element	Australia	Poland
Dominant threat perception	Shifting between a threat from the North and terrorist attacks on liberal values	Russian military intervention into Polish territory
Core task of the armed forces	Balancing territorial with expeditionary defense	Territorial defense
Cooperative frameworks	Major experiences of international organizations and coalitions of the willing	Major experiences of international organizations, less of coalitions of the willing
International legality	Flexible approach Lack of legal mandate not an obstacle	Somewhat flexible approach
Strategic partner(s)	United States	United States and NATO is supplementary