What are decisive operations intended to achieve?

Decisive operations are critical components of military strategy, designed specifically to create favorable conditions that lead to the successful achievement of the overall mission. By focusing on establishing these conditions, decisive operations aim to secure key objectives, disrupt the enemy's plans, and pave the way for subsequent actions that can lead to victory.

These operations are not merely about tactics or individual engagements; rather, they are strategically planned to change the dynamics of the battlefield in a way that supports the broader goals of the military campaign. This can involve a combination of offensive and defensive actions, intelligence gathering, and coordination with allied forces, all geared towards ensuring that the mission is accomplished effectively.

In contrast, confusing the enemy about troop movements, building alliances, or demonstrating advanced combat techniques, while potentially useful in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the primary purpose of decisive operations. These actions may support the mission but do not define its core objective, which is about positioning for success and accomplishing the mission as a whole.