Final answer:
Combat operations designed to delay enemy attacks include defensive maneuvers and deceptive tactics, contributing to military strategy by creating better conditions for future offensives or political solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Combat operations conducted to defer an enemy attack, gain time, economize forces, and develop conditions favorable for offensive or stability operations are critical components of military strategy. These operations may include a mix of defensive maneuvers and deceptive tactics to stave off the enemy, maintain the integrity of military formations, and set the stage for a more advantageous position from which to launch further operations or give diplomatic efforts a chance to succeed. The concept of using indirect maneuvers, such as feigning weakness or disarray, can entice the enemy into a tactical error, allowing for a counter-attack that may be more effective due to the element of surprise or other favorable conditions created by such strategies. In historical contexts like the Vietnam War, U.S. troops engaged in "search and destroy" missions as a form of combat operation. Similarly, the transitions in Iraq after the initial stages of the war showed a change to advising and assistance roles after active combat operations had been conducted. The principles outlined in sources such as the ancient treatise The Art of War by Sun Tzu, which advocates for careful planning and the use of deception, remain relevant in conducting such operations.