What are the three levels of warfare identified in military strategy?

The three levels of warfare identified in military strategy are Strategic, Operational, and Tactical.

At the strategic level, military and political leaders make decisions that guide the overall direction and objectives of the military effort. This level focuses on long-term goals and the placement of military resources to achieve national objectives. It involves considerations like the use of alliances, national security policy, and the allocation of resources across different conflicts.

The operational level bridges the gap between strategy and tactics. It translates strategic goals into specific actions within a theater of war or during a campaign. Here, commanders manage forces and resources to achieve specific operational objectives, coordinating various tactical engagements to ensure they align with the broader strategy.

The tactical level focuses on the actual conduct of battles and engagements. It involves the planning and execution of specific maneuvers and actions by ground, air, or naval forces. This level is concerned with the details of how to achieve success in individual confrontations and battles.

Recognizing these three levels allows military leaders to formulate comprehensive strategies that are cohesive and effectively aligned from the national down to the battlefield level. Other options provided do not accurately represent the established structure of military strategy and therefore do not capture the full scope of how military operations are designed and executed.