text: Security Force Assistance
  2-86. Commanders must be aware of the specific constraints, such as authorities, and capabilities of the
  forces of participating nations, and consider these differences when assigning SFA missions and activities.
  Political Considerations
  2-87. Because of the complexity of relationships between formal and informal political actors, SFA forces
  may lack sufficient knowledge to understand the political dynamics within partner nation institutions
  affecting a given operation. Generating force organizations provide analyses of political institutions, actors,
  issues, and dynamics at the local, regional, and national level in the operational area. The range of such
  analyses can run from the entire operational area to a single urban area or region within it. These analyses
  address not only formal and tangible factors but also the underlying social and cultural attitudes that confer
  or deny legitimacy to systems for the exercise of political authority.
  2-88. Important political considerations include—
  * What are recent changes in the nature of U.S. bilateral and multilateral security relations with
  nations and international organizations in the region?
  * What international and acquisition agreements exist?
  * Do acquisition agreements support access, sustainment, and freedom of movement?
  * How important is national security to the state compared to economic and social issues?
  * What does the regional security architecture look like (regional security organizations and country
  relationships)?
  * What are the desired regional outcomes, what are the external drivers, and was there a change in
  the security environment?
  * What is the dominant political party in the area?
  * Is the government effective at influencing the people? Do the people support it? Is there a shadow
  government in place, and is it the source of power?
  Military Considerations
  2-89. The military variable explores the military capabilities of all relevant actors in a given OE. Army SFA
  forces seek to thoroughly understand the evolving defense and security capabilities of the partner FSF and
  adversaries. The Army’s joint and multinational partners may accurately describe their capabilities without
  being fully aware of the implications for landpower. Additionally, partners continuously adapt their
  capabilities, so SFA planners must continuously analyze the resulting implications.
  2-90. Important military considerations include—
  * What is the balance of military power in the region, and what are the security relationships between
  regional neighbors?
  * Are appropriate authorities in place to facilitate training and equipping the partner FSF?
  * What partner FSF operate in the area of operations?
  * What partner FSF capabilities exist and what are the requirements associated with internal and
  external defense?
  * What are the institutional capabilities with respect to DOTMLPF-P?
  * Do the partner FSF being advised have jurisdiction?
  * What is the division of labor between civil, police, and military units in the area of operations?
  * What threats exist, including “insider threats,” and how will they infiltrate and fight both the
  multinational and partner FSF?
  * What multinational units operate in the area of operations, what are their capabilities, and what
  can be expected from them?
  Social Considerations
  2-91. The social variable describes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup within an OE. Understanding
  the social factors of a society or a group can significantly improve the SFA force’s ability to accomplish the
  mission. Culture is the lens through which information is transmitted, processed, and understood. However,