2-60. For commanders and staffs, stability operations require a unique combination of knowledge and understanding, the ability to achieve unity of effort, and cultural awareness. Military forces have a finite amount of combat power to apply to the tasks associated with a given operation. Stability operations lay the foundation for the success of the instruments of national power. This foundation must sustain the burdens of governance, rule of law, and economic development that represent the future viability of a state. Establishing this foundation depends on applying combat power to the essential stability operations tasks identified during the initial assessment of the situation and the framing of the basic problem. Decisions about using combat power are more than a factor of the size and composition of the force, the strategic mission, and long-term objectives. Commanders and staffs also consider the ethical consequences of those decisions and the signals those actions send to the government and local population of the host nation, as well as to the American people. Resources will never be adequate to cover all stability requirements; thus, essential tasks must be prioritized by leaders at all levels.