What task is aimed at rendering a force incapable of achieving its objectives?

The task aimed at rendering a force incapable of achieving its objectives is defeat. In the context of military operations, defeat refers to actions taken to undermine or eliminate an enemy's ability to successfully conduct operations, thereby achieving your strategic goals while preventing the adversary from achieving theirs. This can involve a combination of direct engagements, targeting logistics, morale, and command and control capabilities.

Defeat encompasses a broader sense of impact on the enemy’s overall capabilities, as opposed to simply inflicting physical damage, which is more associated with destruction. While destruction can lead to defeat, the concept of defeat is more comprehensive, focusing on the enemy's operational effectiveness, cohesion, and will to fight, ultimately leading to their failure to achieve their goals.

The other choices, while relevant in different contexts, do not specifically represent the overall aim of rendering an enemy incapable of operating effectively. For instance, deceiving an enemy might mislead them about one's intentions or capabilities but does not directly disable their ability to achieve their objectives. Delaying an enemy can provide tactical advantages but does not necessarily incapacitate them. Destroying forces can contribute to their defeat but is not the same as the broader strategic aim of defeating a force.