Which aspect is NOT part of evaluating the adversary according to standard substeps?

In the context of evaluating the adversary, establishing communication with friendly forces is not a direct part of the adversary evaluation process. The focus of evaluating the adversary typically involves analyzing and understanding the adversary's capabilities, vulnerabilities, and current situation. This process is crucial for developing strategies and responses to counter potential threats.

The first three aspects—updating or creating relevant actor models, identifying adversary capabilities and vulnerabilities, and determining the current adversary situation—are all integral to grasping who the adversary is, what they can do, and how they might respond in various scenarios. This evaluation is essential for informed decision-making.

In contrast, establishing communication with friendly forces, while important for overall strategic operations and coordination, does not pertain directly to understanding the adversary itself. Instead, it focuses more on collaboration and information-sharing within one's own forces rather than evaluating the other side.