text: Foundations of Operations
  Note. War, by definition, includes at least two opposing sides. However, not all violence for
  political gain causes a war. For example, in the current security environment China imposes low
  levels of violence and new types of violence (including space and cyberspace attacks against
  government, economic institutions, private industry, and infrastructure) that do not trigger
  significant military responses. In these cases, China sees itself in a state of war with its adversaries,
  but its adversaries do not. Such a disparity in perspective is dangerous for those nations opposing
  China that may endure low levels of violence for long periods, while slowly ceding interests until
  it is too late to respond effectively. Responding to such situations requires a comprehensive
  government approach supported by joint and Army forces.
  Political Purpose
  1-30. All U.S. military operations share a common purpose—to
  achieve or contribute to national policy objectives. As a principle Objective—to direct every military
  of war, objective reinforces the proper relationship between operation toward a clearly defined,
  military operations and policy. War must always be subordinate decisive, and attainable goal—is a
  principle of war.
  to policy and serve a political end. In conjunction with political
  leaders, military leaders develop strategies to achieve the desired
  policy outcomes. Policy outcomes often relate to the nation’s ability to influence, control, or secure
  populations, civil infrastructure, natural resources, and access to global commons in all domains. (See
  Appendix A for a discussion of the principles of war.)
  Human Endeavor
  1-31. War is shaped by human nature and the complex interrelationships of cognition, emotion, and
  uncertainty. National sentiments are often targets to be affected or manipulated by one or both sides. Values
  and ethics are some of the cognitive factors that motivate both the cause for going to war and restrictions in
  the conduct of war. Fear, passion, camaraderie, grief, and many more emotions affect the resolve of a war’s
  participants. They affect the behavior of combatants, including how and when leaders decide to persevere
  and when to give up. Individuals react differently to the stress of war; an act that may break the will of one
  enemy may only serve to stiffen the resolve of another. Human will, instilled through commitment to a cause
  and leadership, is the driving force of all action in war. The human dimension infuses war with its intangible
  moral factors. (See paragraphs 1-115 through 1-117 for more information on the human dimension.)
  Inherently Chaotic and Uncertain
  1-32. War is inherently chaotic and uncertain due to the clash of wills and intense interaction of innumerable
  factors. Orders are misunderstood, enemy forces do the unexpected, units make wrong turns, unforeseen
  obstacles appear, the weather changes, and units consume supplies at unexpected rates. This friction affects
  all military operations, and it must be anticipated by leaders. The chaotic nature of war makes discerning the
  precise cause and effect of actions difficult, impossible, or delayed. The unintended effects of operations are
  difficult to anticipate and identify. Such chaos imposes a great deal of uncertainty on all operations and drives
  the importance of leaders who are skilled at assuming risk.
  PRINCIPLES OF WAR
  1-33. From a U.S. military perspective, war involves nine principles, collectively and classically known as
  the principles of war. The nine principles of war represent the most important factors that affect the conduct
  of operations, and they are derived from the study of history and experience in battle. (See table 1-1 on page
  1-8 for a concise listing of the principles of war.)
  1-34. The principles of war capture broad and enduring fundamentals for the employment of forces in
  combat. They are not a checklist that guarantees success. Rather, they summarize considerations commanders
  and their staffs account for during successful operations, applied with judgment in specific contexts. While
  applicable to all operations, they do not apply equally or in the same way to every situation. (For more
  information on the principles of war, see Appendix A.)