What aspect of deterrence involves conventional combat forces?

Conventional deterrence is the concept that relies on the use of conventional military forces to prevent adversaries from taking aggressive actions. This type of deterrence typically involves a nation demonstrating its ability and willingness to use conventional military capabilities to respond to threats or aggression, thereby discouraging potential adversaries from initiating conflict due to the perceived cost and consequence of military engagement.

In the context of military strategy, conventional deterrence focuses on maintaining a credible and ready conventional force that can engage in combat operations. This type of deterrence is essential for addressing rival states or non-state actors who may be considering aggression, as it showcases a nation’s defense readiness and operational capabilities without escalating to nuclear options.

The other choices involve different aspects of military and diplomatic strategy but do not directly relate to the use of conventional forces. Strategic nuclear deterrence, for instance, involves the threat of nuclear retaliation to prevent attacks; covert operational strategy involves secretive actions that are not directly seen as a deterrent; and diplomatic deterrent measures focus on negotiations and agreements to prevent conflict, rather than the threat of conventional force.