text: Chapter 4
  ADVERSARY METHODS DURING COMPETITION
  4-4. To effectively plan, prepare, execute, and assess operations during competition requires a broad
  understanding of the strategic environment and common adversary methods and objectives. Adversaries use
  a range of techniques to hinder the United States from achieving its objectives during competition and further
  their own interests. Forward-positioned Army forces may be able to detect and assess such adversary
  activities. By understanding and effectively countering adversary techniques, Army forces can help the joint
  force and interagency partners achieve their objectives.
  ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE STRATEGIC GOALS
  4-5. Adversaries employ all of their instruments of national power in a combination of ways to pursue
  strategic interests without direct military confrontation with the United States. For example, Russia applies
  its elements of national power through an approach called “New-Type War” (also labeled “Russian New
  Generation Warfare”). This approach allows Russia to achieve many of its strategic goals below the level of
  armed conflict and with limited employment of military forces. If coercion through diplomatic, information,
  and economic instruments fails, Russia is prepared to employ its conventional military power and proxy
  forces as needed. China also relies on a comprehensive use of its instruments of national power. Like Russia,
  China seeks to achieve many of its strategic objectives with nonmilitary instruments of national power and
  keep military forces in a supporting role that reinforces facts established on the ground with other than overt
  military action.
  4-6. By using all instruments of national power, an adversary is able to further its interests through a range
  of nonmilitary and military activities that may provide advantages over U.S. forces. Examples of nonmilitary
  activities include Russia and China's diplomatic efforts to establish security cooperation agreements with
  neighboring countries as a way to expand regional influence. Another example is China's use of infrastructure
  projects, as part of “The Belt and Road Initiative”, to grow its economic influence. In both examples,
  adversaries primarily use nonmilitary means to achieve strategic objectives while weakening U.S. influence
  and undermining political-military partnerships between the United States and other countries within these
  same regions.
  4-7. Adversaries can pursue more aggressive options through military activities that safeguard their
  interests abroad, maintain regional stability, and exert influence regionally and globally. These activities may
  include controlling or reducing access to certain areas of the global commons, challenging the established
  borders of other nations, or using the threat of force to influence the decisions of neighboring countries.
  Adversaries may pursue these activities overtly with the use of conventional military forces or covertly
  through a combination of proxy forces, unconventional warfare, and information warfare.
  4-8. Proxy forces are generally non-state actors aligned with respective state actors, and they perform
  activities on behalf of or in accordance with the state actor’s strategic objectives. Examples of proxies include
  paramilitary groups, criminal organizations, private civilian organizations, private companies, special interest
  groups, and religious groups. Covert methods, such as the use of proxy forces, provide adversaries with
  plausible deniability and cost savings in achieving strategic objectives.
  ACTIVITIES TO COUNTER A UNITED STATES RESPONSE
  4-9. While adversaries desire to further their interests and achieve their goals without U.S. involvement,
  they will be prepared to counter a response from the U.S. military. To do this, an adversary may attempt to
  prevent or constrain the United States’ ability to project forces to the region and limit U.S. response options
  by using the following methods:
  (cid:122) Conduct information warfare activities to manipulate the acquisition, transmission, and
  presentation of information in such a way that legitimizes the adversary's actions and portrays the
  United States as the aggressor.
  (cid:122) Conduct preclusion activities through nonlethal means to undermine relationships, raise political
  stakes, manipulate public opinion, and erode resolve to constrain or eliminate basing rights,
  overflight corridors, logistics support, and concerted allied action.