Which principle states that the greatest threat should be destroyed first?

The principle that states the greatest threat should be destroyed first is often encapsulated in the idea of massing the effects of fire. This approach emphasizes the importance of prioritizing targets based on the level of threat they pose to operations and overall mission success. By concentrating firepower on the most immediate and lethal threats, military forces can effectively reduce the chances of sustaining casualties or suffering damage.

This principle is rooted in the understanding that overwhelming a significant threat with decisive force can help to control the battlefield's dynamics, enabling better maneuverability and tactical advantage. When forces apply this principle effectively, it can lead to the neutralization of critical threats and ultimately support mission objectives more efficiently.

In this context, the other options, while relevant to different aspects of military planning and execution, do not directly address the prioritization of threats based on their potential impact on operations as clearly as the principle of massing the effects of fire does.