Examining 10 iconic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) operations in the requested detail would require an exhaustive and in-depth treatment for each, which is quite vast for a single exchange. However, I will discuss a few notable examples of M&A by providing an overview of their context, stakes, and key strategies.

1. Facebook’s Acquisition of WhatsApp (2014)

• Context: WhatsApp was a rapidly growing messaging app with a massive user base.
• Stakes: Facebook sought to strengthen its position in mobile messaging and gain access to a new user segment.
• Strategy: Facebook acquired WhatsApp for about $19 billion, using both cash and Facebook shares.
• Methods/Techniques: The operation was structured to retain key WhatsApp talent and maintain the app as an independent entity within the Facebook ecosystem.

2. Disney’s Acquisition of Pixar (2006)

• Context: Pixar was a revolutionary animation studio, known for hits like “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo”.
• Stakes: Disney sought to revitalize its animation division and secure an ongoing relationship with Pixar, which had become strained.
• Strategy: Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion, in an all-stock transaction.
• Methods/Techniques: The operation transformed the culture and operations of Disney Animation, with key Pixar leaders taking leadership roles at Disney.

3. Merger between AOL and Time Warner (2000)

• Context: At the peak of the internet bubble, AOL was an online services giant and Time Warner was a media and entertainment leader.
• Stakes: The merger aimed to create an integrated media conglomerate, combining online content and distribution.
• Strategy: The “mega-merger” was valued at about $165 billion, creating an entity with assets in print, television, cinema, and the internet.
• Methods/Techniques: The merger was marked by integration difficulties and cultural differences, leading to a split in 2009.

4. Disney’s Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment (2009)

• Context: Marvel, with its vast portfolio of superheroes, had already achieved cinema success with characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men.
• Stakes: Disney sought to broaden its audience beyond families and children, targeting young adults and comic book fans.
• Strategy: Disney acquired Marvel for $4 billion, significantly increasing its intellectual property catalog.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition allowed Disney to develop the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a multi-billion dollar film franchise.

5. Microsoft’s Acquisition of LinkedIn (2016)

• Context: LinkedIn was the leading professional social network, with a significant user base and growing revenue.
• Stakes: Microsoft sought to strengthen its presence in cloud services and professional solutions.
• Strategy: Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, in cash.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition was integrated into Microsoft’s product offering, while allowing LinkedIn to maintain some operational independence.

6. Amazon’s Acquisition of Whole Foods (2017)

• Context: Whole Foods was an organic and natural products supermarket chain with a strong presence in the United States.
• Stakes: Amazon sought to expand its physical retail presence and accelerate its expansion into the food sector.
• Strategy: Amazon acquired Whole Foods for about $13.7 billion, marking one of Amazon’s largest forays into physical retail.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition instantly increased Amazon’s distribution and logistics for food products, integrating Amazon technologies in Whole Foods stores to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.

7. Merger between Vodafone AirTouch and Mannesmann (1999)

• Context: This merger was one of the largest at the time and marked a key moment in the telecommunications industry.
• Stakes: Vodafone, a mobile telecom giant, sought to extend its reach in Europe, while Mannesmann was a diversified German company that had recently expanded into telecoms.
• Strategy: The merger, valued at about $180 billion, was completed after a hostile takeover battle, the largest in history at the time.
• Methods/Techniques: The merger required complex integration of operations across several countries, followed by the divestment of several non-core businesses to focus on mobile telecommunications.

8. Disney’s Acquisition of 21st Century Fox (2019)

• Context: 21st Century Fox was a global leader in cinema and television, owning film studios, television networks, and international interests.
• Stakes: Disney sought to expand its content catalog to fuel its streaming services like Disney+.
• Strategy: Disney acquired the majority of 21st Century Fox’s assets for about $71 billion, after a competing offer from Comcast.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition involved the restructuring and integration of vast content and media portfolios, significantly strengthening Disney’s position in the entertainment industry.

9. IBM’s Acquisition of Red Hat (2019)

• Context: Red Hat was a major player in the open-source software field, known for its Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system.
• Stakes: IBM sought to strengthen its position in cloud computing and open-source technologies to better compete with giants like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
• Strategy: IBM acquired Red Hat for about $34 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition allowed IBM to accelerate its hybrid cloud offering, integrating Red Hat’s products and services while maintaining the company’s independence.

10. SoftBank’s Acquisition of Arm Holdings (2016)

• Context: Arm Holdings is a British designer of electronic chips, whose technology is present in most smartphones, tablets, and many other devices.
• Stakes: SoftBank sought to invest in key technologies that would shape the future, including the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Strategy: SoftBank acquired Arm for about $32 billion, stating that it was aligned with its long-term growth strategy.
• Methods/Techniques: The acquisition aimed to position SoftBank at the heart of the technology industry, leveraging Arm’s widespread technology to play a central role in the IoT and mobile computing revolution.

These M&A operations showcase a wide range of strategies, from expanding into new markets, acquiring new technologies, to consolidating positions in existing industries. Each operation had its own set of challenges, from cultural integration to regulatory approvals, and required meticulous planning and execution to achieve the desired outcomes.