4-22. In operations dominated by offensive and defensive tasks, the end state is generally quantifiable and well defined in terms of enemy forces and time. However, in stability operations, the concept of an end state is much more difficult to quantify. Stabilization is a long-term effort and can only be achieved by integrating the collective activities of all the instruments of national power, not by any single instrument applied in isolation. Clearly describing an end state associated with stabilization requires an understanding of the nature of an operational environment and the political objectives of the USG in that environment. Commanders must account for the different time horizons associated with offensive, defensive, and stability related end states.