1-1. An operational environment is a composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences that affect the employment of capabilities and bear on the decisions of the commander (JP 3-0). As ADP 2-0, Intelligence, explains, an operational environment for a specific operation comprises more than the interacting variables that exist within a specific physical area. It also includes the interconnected global and regional influences that affect the conditions and operations with that physical area. Thus, every commander’s operational environment is part of a higher commander’s operational environment.