What action did President Carter take in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

• A. Deployed troops to Afghanistan
• B. Embargo on grain shipments to the USSR
• C. Signed a mutual defense treaty with the Soviet Union
• D. Increased aid to the Soviet Union

Answer: (B)

Economic sanctions as a foreign-policy tool is the main idea here. After the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, President Carter turned to nonmilitary pressure to object to Moscow’s actions. He announced a grain embargo, blocking grain shipments to the Soviet Union. This choice aimed to hurt the Soviet economy and signaling disapproval without deploying troops or provoking a broader military clash. It fits the situation because the US wanted a strong, measurable response that avoided direct military confrontation.

That’s why this option is the best. The other possibilities don’t match what happened: the United States did not deploy troops to Afghanistan, did not sign a mutual defense treaty with the Soviet Union, and did not increase aid to the USSR. In practice, policy moved toward sanctions and aiding Afghan rebels through different channels, not strengthening ties with the Soviet Union.