What are military operations designed to support diplomatic efforts toward a long-term political settlement called?

Military operations designed to support diplomatic efforts toward a long-term political settlement are known as peace operations. These operations aim to create a stable environment in which diplomatic activities can take root, allowing conflicting parties to engage in dialogue and ultimately reach a political resolution. Peace operations often include various activities such as peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and humanitarian assistance, all intended to uphold and protect the peace while facilitating negotiations.

In this context, peace operations focus on stabilizing war-torn regions, reducing violence, and ensuring the safety of civilians, thereby fostering conditions conducive to diplomacy. This is critical for achieving sustainable peace, as it allows for a framework in which political agreements can be pursued without the threat of renewed conflict interfering with discussions. In contrast, the other types of operations listed do not primarily support diplomatic efforts. Combat operations involve direct military engagements against adversaries, rescue operations focus on saving individuals from distress, and humanitarian operations provide aid and relief to those in need, but do not inherently aim to support diplomatic negotiations.