What are the three levels of warfare as classified in military strategy?

The classification of warfare into three levels—Strategic, Operational, and Tactical—reflects a comprehensive framework used in military strategy to understand and conduct military operations effectively.

Strategic warfare pertains to the overall plan and long-term objectives of a conflict. It involves high-level decisions made by military and political leaders regarding the allocation of resources, alliances, and the use of military force to achieve national goals. This level aims at winning wars and establishing peace in a broader context.

Operational warfare focuses on how to achieve strategic objectives through campaigns and major operations. It bridges the gap between strategy and tactics, dealing with the design and conduct of operations on a larger scale than individual battles, often involving the movement of forces and logistical considerations in a specific theater of war.

Tactical warfare is concerned with the execution of specific engagements and battles. It involves the direct application of combat power in immediate operations and emphasizes maneuvering forces, employing weapons systems, and engaging in direct combat to achieve objectives.

This structured understanding of warfare allows military leaders to plan and carry out operations effectively, ensuring that their actions at the tactical level align with broader strategic goals. The other classifications presented do not encompass the comprehensive nature and clear distinctions between these three core levels of warfare recognized in military doctrine.