text: Chapter 7
  accomplishing the mission. They require legitimacy. Developing legitimacy requires time, patience, and
  coordinated, cooperative efforts across the operational area. Influencing neutral networks to be more
  favorably disposed to U.S. and host-nation objectives has indirect effects on threat networks by making the
  operational environment in which threat networks operate less hospitable to their formation, growth, and
  sustainment.
  Neutralize Threat Networks
  7-59. Threat networks are typically the immediate concern for any unit arriving in an area of operations.
  These networks must be neutralized in order to protect friendly forces and populations while creating time
  and space for other attack the network operations. While local friendly networks are being bolstered, there
  is a period when host-nation capabilities are insufficient to address the threat. U.S. forces and multinational
  partners must take direct actions against threats, reducing their functionality and impact, in order to set
  conditions for supporting friendly networks and influencing neutral networks. The goal is to change the
  perceptions and behaviors of neutral audiences to support the achievement of U.S., multinational, and
  host-nation objectives.
  7-60. A solid understanding of threat networks helps commanders engage those networks to achieve their
  desired end state. Knowledge of numerous characteristics of networks can assist in the engagement process.
  Conditions for network formation can help commanders and staffs understand the cognitive domain of
  networks. Knowing the strengths and types of links can help commanders determine whether or not they
  want to target or engage key nodes within networks or all known and potential nodes and actors of a
  network.
  7-61. Attack the network operations require that commanders understand and integrate specific staffing
  requirements. Commanders and staffs integrate organic capabilities with enablers including, but not limited
  to, other government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations,
  law enforcement professionals, and theater-specific joint task force explosive ordnance disposal elements to
  conduct attack the network operations.
  OTHER OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
  7-62. Operations that occur in three additional types of environments have important considerations for
  counterinsurgency. They include—
  * Remote area considerations.
  * Border considerations.
  * Basing.
  Remote Area Considerations
  7-63. Operations in remote areas may be conducted in rural areas where a decentralized array of forces can
  be most effective. Operations in remote areas are generally conducted in insurgent-controlled or contested
  areas to establish pockets of popular support for the host-nation government and deny support to
  insurgents. These operations may be conducted to establish bases in unpopulated areas where insurgent
  forces have established staging areas, training areas, rest areas, logistic facilities, or command posts. Units
  operate in remote areas to interdict insurgent activity, destroy insurgent base areas, and demonstrate that the
  host-nation government has not ceded control to the insurgents.
  7-64. Operations in remote areas are usually conducted in areas that are either under insurgent control or
  are contested. In these areas, ground or water modes of entry are often used, but air assault or parachute
  operations can be employed. These operations may use offensive tactics such as raids, reconnaissance in
  force, cordon and searches, hasty or deliberate attacks, and pursuit (or combinations of these tactics). Their
  purpose may be to—
  * Harass insurgents to prevent the buildup of personnel and logistic resources.
  * Isolate insurgents from their support.
  * Demonstrate support for the government and for the populace in the local area.