Region options display and record the attitudes and behaviors of the population living in that region. The victory conditions of most scenarios require each side to modify support numbers in one or more Regions. This represents victory in the hearts and minds of the Regions' people for one side.

Front options display and record the attitudes and motivations of the people who compose each organization involved in a crisis. They also show the relative ability of a Front to execute various forms of operations. For example, the Pentagon may have a better chance of executing conventional military operations, while the CIA has a better chance of executing intelligence operations.

Operation options are selected by participants to gather resources or support for oneself, or denying the same to the opponent. Each Front can typically conduct one Operation per turn. Each Operations card is keyed to other game functions, such as its ability to trigger Cascading Effects (i.e., to have an impact on secondary and unintended target audiences). Generally, the more violent the operation, the more likely it is to create wide swings in political support. Operations show a wide range of military, intelligence and support activities, such as kidnappings, hostage rescue, acquisition and use of WMD, recruiting, air strikes etc. You must balance military against political factors in execution of operations. For example, one needs to consider the pros and cons of an operation which may be tactically successful (destroys terrorist base), but a strategic failure (a negative global reaction).

Each side has one Strategy option in play that provides bonuses to certain Operations a side may conduct, and penalties to others. The Strategy card a side puts into play provides the framework for the Operations all the Fronts on a side will try to conduct.

Wider World cards come into play to describe events outside the crisis that influence the crisis. These represent unanticipated and chaotic input into the situation.