What is the strategic level?

• A. Execution of battles and engagements.
• B. Links strategy to tactics through campaigns and operations.
• C. National-level planning to achieve long-term objectives.
• D. Operational planning to achieve near-term goals.

Answer: (C)

The strategic level focuses on shaping long-term outcomes at the national or theater level. It involves setting overarching objectives, deciding what national power (political, military, economic, diplomatic) should be used, and allocating resources to achieve those ends over years or decades. This level provides the guidance and constraints within which campaigns and operations are planned and executed, but it does not involve running battles or managing day-to-day operations.

That’s why the correct idea is national-level planning to achieve long-term objectives. The other options describe layers below the strategic level: executing battles and engagements is tactical; linking strategy to tactics through campaigns and operations is the operational level; and planning aimed at near-term goals is operational planning.