What is OPSEC’s desired effect on the adversary?

The desired effect of OPSEC (Operations Security) on the adversary is to influence their behavior and actions. This concept is based on the principle that by protecting critical information and denying the adversary access to it, we can shape their understanding of our capabilities and intentions. This influence can lead adversaries to make decisions that are less favorable to them, potentially causing them to misjudge their assessments or strategically position themselves in ways that do not align with their goals.

OPSEC achieves this by ensuring that key information is safeguarded, thereby preventing the enemy from gaining insights that could compromise operational success. This form of psychological and strategic manipulation is crucial in military operations, as the less an adversary knows about our plans, the more likely they are to act in a way that unwittingly benefits our strategic objectives.

The other choices, while related to broader operational objectives, do not specifically capture the targeted intent of OPSEC to manipulate adversary behavior as effectively as influencing their decisions and actions does.