Abstract
The security environment is subjected to continuous changes. There is no sharp dividing line between peace and war. The lessons learned from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Syria, prove that a comprehensive political, civilian and military approach is necessary for effective crisis management. The concept of the operational design outlined in this article is based on two ideas. On the one hand the operational design is a tool to help commanders, officers and other participants understand complex situations and shape effective activity in comprehensive environment, and on the other hand the operational design is an expression of the commander’s vision of transforming the unacceptable operational situation at the start of the operation into a series of acceptable operational conditions at its end. This transformation is done through establishing decisive conditions along different lines of operation, leading to the achievement of operational objectives.
Keywords: comprehensive operations, operational design, military force instruments, victory, operational effects, operational lines