Counterintelligence primarily focuses on which of the following?

The focus of counterintelligence is primarily on protecting against espionage and sabotage. This encompasses various activities designed to safeguard sensitive information from foreign adversaries who may engage in spying or other forms of covert activity to gather intelligence that could harm national security.

Counterintelligence operates by identifying and thwarting the efforts of foreign spies, ensuring that intelligence operations maintain integrity and security. This is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of an organization's operations and for protecting vital national interests.

Other options, while important in their own right, do not capture the core mission of counterintelligence. Negotiating peace treaties involves diplomacy and conflict resolution, which is different from the preventive focus of counterintelligence. Conducting military operations pertains to the execution of missions that may require intelligence but is not directly about protecting against espionage. Gathering diplomatic intelligence relates to acquiring information relevant to diplomatic relations, but it is not specific to the protective measures inherent in counterintelligence practices. Thus, protecting against espionage and sabotage accurately encapsulates the primary goal of counterintelligence efforts.