The beginning of AU-NATO cooperation -- Fracture in AU-NATO relation: a fallout of the Libyan crisis -- Diplomatic efforts to close the gap between the AU and NATO -- AU and NATO: any shared interests? -- Overlapping interests mega-trends in Africa and NATO's exceptional competencies -- The AU: the challenges of managing partnerships with global and regional actors textualizing partnerships -- NATO: going global through partnerships -- Re-defining the level of ambition -- Capability gap: AU's binding capability constraints -- Public gap: a comprehensive NATO policy on the AU and Africa -- The diplomatic gap: SMLO from a mission in diplomatic limbo to a liaison office -- Public gaps: high-level political dialogue and representation -- Suggested AU-NATO institutional dialogue interface -- Conclusions and recommendations towards a strategic partnership
