What characterizes "effects-based targeting"?

Effects-based targeting is characterized by its strategic focus on achieving desired outcomes and impacts rather than merely inflicting physical destruction. This approach aims to understand the broader context and implications of military actions, emphasizing how actions lead to specific results in the operational environment.

In effects-based targeting, planners analyze how various actions can influence not just the enemy's capabilities, but also decision-making processes and the overall situation. The goal is to achieve strategic objectives efficiently and effectively, often by leveraging a combination of military actions, psychological operations, and other means to shape perceptions and behaviors.

By concentrating on outcomes and impacts, effects-based targeting allows military forces to align their operations with broader national objectives, making it a holistic part of the planning and execution process. This method contrasts with approaches that might focus solely on physical targets or short-term objectives without considering their long-term effects on the overall mission.