text: ______________________________________________________________________________Introduction
  Technology
  The technology that nations or non-state actors can bring to the OE includes
  what they can develop and produce, as well as what they could import. Access to
  technological advances available on the global market is slowly eating away at
  the technological advantage the United States has enjoyed in the past.
  It is likely that some high-end forces in a particular region of the world could
  field a few systems that are more advanced than those of the U.S. force deployed
  there. Easy access to new technology allows potential adversaries to achieve
  equality or even overmatch U.S. systems in selected niche areas. Many countries
  are trying to acquire relatively low-cost, high-payoff, new technologies. In addi-
  tion, upgrades and hybridization allow older systems to compete with more mod-
  ern capabilities, thus neutralizing the technical advantage of many modern
  forces. In urban areas or other complex terrain, less advanced systems may still
  find effective uses. Various actors may find adaptive and innovative ways of us-
  ing systems for other than their originally intended applications.
  External Organizations
  When the U.S. Army goes into a failed state or into areas torn by conflict, it is
  likely to find international humanitarian relief organizations at work there.
  These external organizations continue to grow in influence and power, as well as in
  willingness to become involved in crisis situations that were previously purely mili-
  tary operations. These external organizations can have both stated and hidden in-
  terests and objectives that can either assist or hinder U.S. mission accomplishment.
  The presence of transnational corporations operating in a country or region can also
  place added pressure on U.S. forces to avoid collateral damage to civilian life and
  property. U.S. forces may have to divert troops and resources from their assigned
  missions to conduct rescues or provide security for various external organizations.
  Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in a given region (or at least prior to U.S. mili-
  tary intervention there), during such hostilities, or after the conclusion of hostili-
  ties in a particular area, members of external organizations and other civilian
  noncombatants from outside the region may be endangered. Diplomatic person-
  nel, other government employees, or private citizens from the United States or
  other countries might be present in one or more countries within the region. The
  private citizens might be associated with an external organization (media, hu-
  manitarian relief organization, or transnational corporation) or might be there on
  private business or as tourists. If their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest,
  or natural disaster, such U.S. citizens and their dependents, as well as selected
  host-nation citizens and third-country nationals, could be eligible for evacuation
  in noncombatant evacuation operations conducted by U.S. forces.
  National Will
  The variable of national will reflects how much each country’s people and gov-
  ernment are behind what the military or paramilitary forces are doing. This can
  influence the objectives of a conflict, its duration, and the conditions for ending it.
  A country will try to attack its opponent’s national will and still preserve its own.
  Clearly, most foreign countries view U.S. national will as a point of vulnerability.
  Thus, a potential adversary may perceive the collective will of his people as a
  comparative advantage against the United States.