text: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
  7-62. In a stability operation, the lack of, or a variety of, uniforms and equipment makes it more
  difficult to identify the threat. Varying levels of organization increases the range of options afforded the
  enemy threat. This makes it easier for the threat to conduct large-scale demolitions (car bombs and rigged
  buildings) against friendly forces. The ability of the threat to collect information and conduct covert
  operations is greatly enhanced in a stability operations. Sniper employment and booby traps are capabilities
  that are often unpredictable and very dangerous to friendly forces.
  SECTION IV. DETERMINE THREAT COURSES OF ACTION
  This is the fourth and final step in the IPB process. Staffs identify and develop threat COAs, along with other
  facts and assumptions about the OE, that drive the friendly COAs analysis (wargaming). This leads to
  development of the friendly COA development. The LRS team uses these threat COAs to drive their own
  war-gaming process, and to develop the LRS team COA. Developing threat COAs has five substeps:
  • Identify the threat’s likely objectives and desired endstate.
  • Identify the full set of COAs available to the threat.
  • Evaluate and prioritize each COA.
  • Develop each COA.
  • Identify initial ISR requirements.
  IDENTIFY THE THREAT'S LIKELY OBJECTIVES AND DESIRED
  ENDSTATE
  7-63. At a minimum, the staff determines likely objectives and desired endstate. Against a conventional
  threat, the analysis should start at more than one level above the friendly echelon unit and work down. For
  those threats that are asymmetrical in nature, the analysis should start at the lowest level possible.
  7-64. The LRS leader starts with the threat command one level above that of the threat he expects the
  LRS team to encounter. He then ensures the objectives of the threat commands at each level are identified.
  The BFSB S-2 fusion element advises the LRSU on the threat's overall objective. A LRS team should
  break down the threat objective to the level and detail appropriate for the team mission.
  IDENTIFY THE FULL SET OF COAs AVAILABLE TO THE THREAT
  7-65. The staff and the LRS team consider possible threat COAs.
  CONSIDERATIONS
  7-66. At a minimum they consider--
  • The COAs that the threat's doctrine assumes that the threat will use in the current situation, and
  the threat's most likely objectives.
  • The threat COAs that could greatly influence the friendly unit's mission.
  • The threat COA that may exceed the boundaries of known threat doctrine or TTP, even if threat
  doctrine generally considers them unfeasible.
  • The threat COAs indicated by recent activities and events.
  CRITERIA
  7-67. Each threat COA should meet five criteria:
  Suitability--If the COA is successful, it will accomplish the threat's objective.
  Feasibility--The threat has the time, resources, and space available to execute the COA.