Final answer:
Executive orders, signing statements, executive agreements, and national security directives are tools that enable the president to make unilateral decisions, particularly in the realms of national security and foreign policy, and during war, without needing immediate congressional consent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Executive orders, signing statements, executive agreements, and national security directives are all examples of presidential actions used to direct national policy and execute laws without the need for immediate congressional approval. These tools allow presidents to take unilateral action, especially in areas related to national security, foreign policy, and in times of war. For instance, executive orders have been historically significant, such as Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and FDR's order for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Signing statements, though less powerful than vetoes, give presidents the ability to interpret and enforce legislation. In terms of executive agreements, these are pacts made with foreign governments that bypass the Senate's treaty ratification process. An example provided is the nuclear arms terms with Iran that a president may sign without congressional approval. National security directives can be secret and are often related to the president's role as commander in chief and the protection of the homeland.