The disclosure provides a method of operating a communication network. The method includes receiving input data related to a state of the communication network and operation of the communication network. The method then includes determining a policy for the communication network based on the input data. The policy is a set of features for forming a plurality of communication links in the communication network over a time interval. The plurality of communication links provides one or more paths through the communication network. Determining the policy is based at least in part on utility values of previous policies. The utility values of previous policies are derived using simulation and/or real-world implementation of the previous policies. The communication network is then operated to implement the policy in the time interval.