The leader of a large country on the other side of the world is making threatening comments about its neighbor, a smaller country that is a close friend of the United States. The leader is gathering military troops near the border of this country and tensions are very high in the region.

Based on US foreign policy goals, which sentence presents the best first action of a US president who wishes to reduce tension in the area?
A. The president should threaten the leader of the larger country with military action.
B. The president should send US military troops to the smaller country to help protect it.
C. The president should remove ambassadors and other US citizens from both countries.
D. The president should ask US ambassadors in the area to talk to officials in both countries.