Which step in IPB involves assessing the threat or adversary?

The step in the Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) process that involves assessing the threat or adversary is evaluating the threat/adversary. This step is crucial as it focuses on gathering and analyzing intelligence regarding the capabilities, intentions, and activities of potential threats or adversaries in a given operational environment.

By evaluating the threat, military planners are able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the adversary, which informs decisions regarding force employment and the development of strategies. This assessment provides insights into how an adversary is likely to operate, which is fundamental for effective mission planning and operational success.

In contrast, defining the operational environment helps establish the context in which operations will take place but does not specifically focus on the adversary. Describing environmental effects pertains to how terrain and weather impact operations rather than assessing the threat itself. Determining threat/adversary COAs (Courses of Action) is a subsequent step that builds on the evaluation of the threat but is more about strategizing responses rather than directly assessing the threat's capabilities and intentions.