by Portuguese military officers in 1974 toppled the Caetano government and forced a radical change in government attitudes. Faced with international condemnation of its colonial policies and the increasing cost of administering its colonies, Portugal quickly moved to grant the remainder of its African colonies independence. Commandos (1961) Military coup attempts Carnation Revolution (1974) The "hot" years of the revolution (1974–75) International involvement (1991 to present) Portugal was a founding member of NATO, and, although it had scarce forces, it played a key role in the European approaches. After 1991, Portugal committed several infantry and air-landing battalions to international operations. The Portuguese Army keeps soldiers in Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Central African Republic, Somalia, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Kosovo and Baltic states. Since 1991, Portuguese Armed Forces have participated in the following missions; missions: NATO intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Implementation Force in Kosovo; Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Operation Sharp Guard; Kosovo Force in Kosovo; NATO bombing of Yugoslavia; Operation Active Endeavour in Mediterranean; Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; NATO Training Mission in Iraq; Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa; Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 since 2005; Baltic Air Policing since 2007; Operation Ocean Shield; Icelandic Air Policing since (2012 and 2022) Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (2012 and 2014); NATO Assurance Measures in Romania; Operation Sea Guardian since 2016; Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan; Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1; NATO Assurance Measures in Lithuania (2019 and 2021); NATO Assurance Measures in Poland (2019 and 2020); NATO Tailored Forward Presence in Romania (2021). missions: United Nations Protection Force Operation Provide Comfort United Nations Angola Verification Mission II United Nations Operation in Mozambique United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia United Nations Angola Verification Mission III United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara International Force East Timor United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor MONUA United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire United Nations Operation in Burundi United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo United Nations Office in East Timor United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Algeria MONUSCO in Democratic Republic of the Congo United Nations Assistance Mission