Operation Interflex: a change in the character of security force assistance?

The concept of Security Force Assistance (SFA) emerged during the Global War on Terror mainly as a consequence of the increased practice of train, advise, and assist operations. This reflected the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, Iraq, and many African countries in which Western armies trained and assisted local forces in the fight against modern insurgencies. The use of SFA has continued ever since, nevertheless the Russia-Ukraine war has shifted the emphasis of European countries on training the Ukrainian forces for the fight against a conventional opponent. This article explores the consequences of this shift for the character of SFA. Using qualitative data, a comparison is made between the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and the current application of SFA in the Ukrainian context as embodied in Operation Interflex. Whilst the nature of SFA remains unchanged, the character of SFA changes when used to address regular threats.