text: Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
  A-8. Figures A-2 and A-3 are not all-encompassing lists of COIN characteristics. Instead, they provide
  a starting point or outline useful for conducting a COIN-focused IPB and analysis that can be modified
  to fit the specific operational environment and meet the commander’s requirements. Commanders
  and staffs can compare the categories presented with those in the civil affairs area study and assessment
  format found in FM 3-05.40 and the IPB considerations for stability operations found in ST 2-91.1.
  INTERCONNECTED SYSTEMS
  A-9. Since the COIN environment comprises an interconnected “system of systems,” considerations
  among the key elements of the environment will overlap during a COIN intelligence analysis. For example,
  boundaries, regions, or areas relate to a physical location on the ground. Hence, they have terrain
  implications. These boundaries, regions, or areas often stem from some historical, religious, political,
  administrative, or social aspect that could also be considered a characteristic of the society. Overlaps can
  also occur in a specific category, such as infrastructure. For instance, dams are a consideration for their
  potential effects on transportation and distribution (mobility), administration and human services (water
  supply), and energy (hydroelectric).
  A-10. This overlap recognition is a critical concern for commanders and their staffs. In “taking apart”
  the COIN environment and analyzing the pieces, commanders and staffs cannot lose perspective of how
  each piece interacts with any other and as part of the whole. Otherwise, their vision will be shortsighted,
  and they will fail to recognize the second-and third-order effects of their proposed COAs; the actual end
  state differing dramatically from the one envisioned by the commander. The increased density
  of combatants and noncombatants, infrastructure, and complex terrain means that a given action will likely
  have unintended consequences—positive or negative. Those consequences will be more widely felt
  and their impact will spread in less time than in other environments. These unintended results may have
  important strategic and operational consequences. The multiple ways these dynamic COIN elements
  and characteristics combine make it necessary to approach each COIN environment as a unique challenge
  for intelligence analysis.
  TERRAIN AND WEATHER
  A-11. Earlier admonitions that civil considerations are more closely considered in COIN do not
  necessarily mean that considerations for terrain and weather are deemphasized.
  Terrain
  A-12. In every COIN operation, terrain and its effects on both threat and friendly forces must be
  assessed and understood. Then commanders can quickly choose and exploit the terrain (and weather
  conditions) that best supports their missions. Effective terrain analysis thoroughly assesses structures
  as well as the ground on which they stand (Figure A-2). An analysis of terrain first considers broader
  characteristics and effects and then progresses to a more detailed examination.
  Natural Terrain
  A-13. Natural terrain features significantly influence unit operations. They dictate where buildings can
  be constructed, the slopes and patterns of streets, and even the broad patterns that develop over longer
  periods, all of which influence a unit’s scheme of maneuver. The military aspects of terrain—observation
  and fields of fire, avenues of approach, key terrain, obstacles, and cover and concealment (OAKOC)—
  remain critical to the analysis of natural terrain in, under, and around areas where COIN operations will be
  conducted. Fortunately, commanders and their staffs are normally accustomed to this type of analysis.