Generally speaking, the "rule of law" refers to the constitution or implied constitution of a state or country that determines how all laws are made and enacted--something that no law of government action can go against.
Answer:Carter attempted to rescue the hostages with military intervention.
Explanation: Pres. Carter, establishing that reasoning with Iran was not an optimal solution, resolved to sending in several US troops to secure and rescue the American hostages. They were to infiltrate Iranian airspace under cover of darkness and be dropped off, where they would then secure the Americans before exfiltration. Unfortunately, the Iranians were waiting for them and killed all of the American troops in an ambush.