Effects-based Operations

This report has been produced within the FoRMA project and has as purpose to present material for deeper analysis and discussion of effects-based operations (EBO), but also to present a preliminary analysis of what EBO could mean for Sweden and the evolution of Swedish doctrine. Although EBO is new for Sweden it has evolved during more than a decade in the U.S. as a consequence of conflicts since Desert Storm. Effects-based operations is really about achieving political and military objectives in a rational way, i.e. the actions that are takenshall achieve "effects", and these effects shall contribute to achieving the desired objective(s). One important reason for the current interest in effects-based operations is the focus on coalition-based conflict management. The continuum of civilian-military and military activities that has to be managed, often with the final objective of contributing to peace, stability and democracy in a country or region, suits the rationality and focus on strategic objectives that is an important part of effects-based operations. In addition the technological support for an effects-based approach has been improved, e.g. the capability to collect and analyse information and intelligence to achieve an understanding of the adversary and other parts in a conflict. This makes it easier to take the right actions, to achieve the right effects and in the end attain the desired objective(s).