This is the system of overlapping powers among judicial, executive, and legislative branches to allow each branch to oversee the actions of the others.

answer; ethnocentric;

the secretary of defense is the principal defense policy advisor to the president. under the direction of the president, the secretary exercises authority, direction, and control over the department of defense.

as you did not provide any choices for me to choose from to give you a direct answer, this is the only information i can provide.