What is the primary aim of overt operations?

The primary aim of overt operations is to gather sensitive information. These operations are conducted openly, allowing organizations or agencies to collect intelligence without the need for stealth or secrecy. This transparency helps build a rapport with the public and can facilitate the acquisition of valuable information that may be difficult to obtain through covert means.

In overt operations, agents may work with local communities, organizations, or governments to encourage the sharing of information that is pertinent to national security or other objectives. Such operations can help to identify threats or risks that may not be apparent through covert intelligence methods.

While increasing national security is generally an overarching goal of intelligence operations, it is the process of gathering sensitive information in a transparent manner that characterizes overt operations specifically. The other options relate more to covert or defensive tactics that are not aligned with the defined purpose of overt activities.