text: FM 7-100.1________________________________________________________________________________
  Economics
  The economic variable establishes the boundaries between the “haves” and the
  “have-nots.” This gap of economic differences among nation-states and other ac-
  tors can cause conflict. Economic superiority, rather than military superiority,
  may be the key to power or dominance within a region. However, economic posi-
  tion often represents a nation or non-state actor’s ability to buy military technol-
  ogy or to conduct prolonged operations. Economics help define the relationship
  between a nation or non-state actor and other actors at the regional or global
  level. These regional or global economic relationships could result in military or
  political assistance.
  Sociological Demographics
  The demographics variable includes the cultural, religious, and ethnic makeup of
  a given region, nation, or non-state actor. Extreme devotion to a particular cause
  or significant hatred of a particular group may provide an enemy with an unshak-
  able will and a willingness to die for the cause. U.S. forces may also find that large
  segments of the population around them are sympathetic to the same cause as the
  enemy force. The needs of the local population can create heavy demands on U.S.
  military units, particularly their supply and medical systems. Refugees and inter-
  nally displaced persons may increase the complexity of the environment. The enemy
  may use civilians as shields or obstacles or as cover for hostile intelligence services.
  Information
  Media and other information means can make combat operations transparent to
  the world, visible to all who have access to data. Various actors seek to use per-
  ception management to control and manipulate how the public sees things. They
  will exploit U.S. mistakes and failures and use propaganda to sway the local
  population to support their cause. Media coverage can impact on U.S. political
  decision making, international opinion, or the sensitivities of coalition members.
  Even without sophisticated sensors and information systems, actors native to the
  area or region often have greater situational awareness than U.S. forces. Various
  actors are able to access commercial systems (such as satellite communications
  and imagery) for the larger picture. For a more detailed view, they can use hu-
  man networks operating over normal telephone lines or with cellular telephones.
  Physical Environment
  The main elements in the physical environment are terrain and weather. Poten-
  tial enemies clearly understand that less complex and open environments favor a
  U.S. force with its long-range, precision-guided weapons and sophisticated re-
  connaissance capability. So they will try to avoid the types of operations and en-
  vironments for which such U.S. forces are optimized. They will try to operate in
  urban areas and other complex terrain and in weather conditions that may ad-
  versely affect U.S. military operations and mitigate technological advantages.1
  1
  Complex terrain is a topographical area consisting of an urban center larger than a village and/or of two or more
  types of restrictive terrain or environmental conditions occupying the same space. (Restrictive terrain or environ-
  mental conditions include but are not limited to slope, high altitude, forestation, severe weather, and urbanization.)
  Complex terrain, due to its unique combination of restrictive terrain and environmental conditions, imposes signifi-
  cant limitations on observation, maneuver, fires, and intelligence collection.