text: Chapter 1
  astuteness. A finite amount of combat power is available to apply against the essential tasks associated with
  a given stability mission. Essential stability tasks lay the foundation for success. This foundation must
  sustain the burdens of governance, rule of law, and economic development that represent the future
  viability of a state. Establishing this foundation depends on applying combat power to the essential stability
  tasks identified during the initial assessment of the situation and the framing of the basic problem.
  Decisions about using combat power are more than a factor of the size of the force deployed, its relative
  composition, and the anticipated nature and duration of the mission.
  IDENTIFICATION OF TASKS
  1-35. Success in operations focused on stability often depends on the commander’s ability to identify the
  tasks essential to mission success. Success also depends on the commander’s ability to prioritize and
  sequence the accomplishment of those tasks with available combat power, the diverse array of actors
  participating, and the ability of the host nation to accept change. Even more so than in the offense and
  defense, operations focused on stability require commanders to demonstrate cultural understanding and a
  clear appreciation of the myriad stability tasks to determine which are fundamentally essential to mission
  success.
  1-36. The commander and staff identify essential stability tasks after considering the relevant mission
  variables. Essential stability tasks are those that the force must successfully complete to accomplish the
  specific mission. These essential tasks may include specified and implied tasks required to establish end
  state conditions that define success. They include the primary stability tasks, informing and influencing of
  audiences, and protection of civilians. In addition, they include any essential offensive and defensive tasks
  associated with the defeat of an enemy force. Typically, military forces retain primary responsibility for
  these initial response tasks. Other tasks may be included that are not the primary responsibility of military
  forces. Some tasks are performed simultaneously and some sequentially.
  ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL ESSENTIAL TASKS
  1-37. In a complex operational environment—with unstable security conditions and a failed or
  nonfunctioning government—a military force may be the only substantial stabilizing presence. In these
  conditions, the force must be prepared to perform all the tasks essential to establishing and maintaining
  security and order while providing for the essential needs of the populace. In most situations, local and
  international aid organizations will be present in the operational area but may have limited access to the
  population. Military forces can significantly contribute to increasing the access of these aid organizations,
  allowing them to provide essential humanitarian assistance and conduct development activities for the
  civilian population. In turn, this reduces a substantial logistics burden on military forces, allowing them to
  focus on providing a safe, secure environment.
  RELATED ACTIVITIES AND MISSIONS
  1-38. Operations characterized by stability tasks often combine with certain activities and missions
  common to Army operations. These activities and missions cut across all stability missions regardless of
  the focus and require increased emphasis and attention by commander. Some activities—such as security
  sector reform and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration—cut across the primary stability tasks
  and may be the centerpiece of an operation. Some operations feature a large component of stability tasks
  relative to offensive and defensive tasks. However, these operations, as with most decisive action, have
  elements of offense and defense as well. Some types of operations have a greater focus on stability tasks
  than others. Related activities and missions include—
  * Information-related capabilities.
  * Protection of civilians.
  * Mass atrocity response operations.
  * Security sector reform.
  * Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.
  * Destruction, monitoring, and redirection of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and mitigation
  of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards.