The 3 D's consist of which combination?

• A. Military, Diplomatic, Economic
• B. Defense (DOD), Diplomacy (DOS), Development (USAID)
• C. Defense, Diplomacy, Deterrence
• D. Security, Aid, Peacekeeping

Answer: (B)

This question centers on the three D's of national security policy: Defense, Diplomacy, and Development. The best match is Defense (DOD), Diplomacy (DOS), and Development (USAID) because it combines the military instrument with diplomatic engagement and development assistance—each led by the appropriate U.S. agencies (DOD for defense, State Department for diplomacy, USAID for development). This triad reflects using military power, diplomatic effort, and development aid together to prevent conflict, stabilize regions, and address root causes of instability. Deterrence sits within defense strategy, but it isn’t one of the three D pillars themselves. The other options mix terms differently (such as substituting deterrence or using economic/security/peacekeeping labels) and don’t align with the standard Defense–Diplomacy–Development framework.