Final answer:
Defensive operations aim to prevent defeat and protect a nation's security, involving military tactics like intelligence gathering and counterintelligence, as well as repelling invasions and executing laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The overarching purpose of defensive operations is to prevent defeat and protect the interests of a state or group of allied states from external threats. They are essential in maintaining the sovereignty and security of a nation. Defensive operations involve a combination of military strategy and tactics, such as using intelligence services to detect and defeat impending threats and using counterintelligence services to shield a nation from internal espionage or sabotage. Another key element of defensive operations is conducting missions to disrupt enemy supply lines or engagements such as searches and destroy missions, as done during the Vietnam War.
Defensive operations also support the political objectives of the nation or alliance, including enforcing laws, suppressing insurrections, and repelling invasions as mandated in various national constitutions or alliance treaties. They are a manifestation of the strength and resilience of a nation's military forces and their capability to protect and maintain stability within their territorial jurisdiction or among the member states of an alliance like NATO.