The National Military Strategy (NMS) to Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) is derived from the Department of Defense's (DOD) mission to dissuade, deter and defeat those who seek to harm the United States, its allies, and partners through WMD use or threat of use and, if attacked, to mitigate the effects and restore deterrence. Its purpose is to provide DOD Components guidance and a strategic framework for combating WMD. The strategy uses an "ends, ways, means" approach to planning, executing and resourcing, and emphasizes those combating WMD missions in which the military plays a prominent role.