April 14, 2017
Can Trump continue to engage in acts of war without congressional approval? And how far can he go?
Last week, a chemical weapons attack in a Syrian town killed more than 70 men, women, and children. As a result, the Trump administration took action against Syria, launching 59 cruise missiles from two Navy destroyers in the Mediterranean targeting a Syrian military airfield. The attack was quickly denounced by Syria and by Russia — a country that is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Since the attack, many questions have come up about Trump’s foreign policy approach. Some have praised, and some have criticized the administration's quick decision to act in Syria. Others are struck by our increasingly hostile stance toward Russia.
To get to the heart of these issues, I talked to The Post’s national security reporter Dan Lamothe for this week’s episode of “Can He Do That?” Dan explains what constitutes an act of war and what goes into military decision making.
We also talk to Nora Bensahel, a distinguished scholar in residence at American University’s School of International Service, about when a president has the authority to unilaterally wage war. And Loren Schulman, former senior advisor to National Security Advisor Susan Rice and current fellow at the Center for a New American Security, about the implications of Trump's action for foreign policy and national security.
Listen below or at The Washington Post.
More from CNAS
-
U.S. Weapons Crunch Raises Risks Beyond Iran
Video
The Pentagon presses defense companies to accelerate weapons production as the Iran war depletes key US stockpiles and raises questions about readiness in other regions. Briga...
By Becca Wasser
-
The U.S. Running Out of Long Ranged Missiles, Reports Say
Video
The rapid expenditure of high-tech precision missiles against Iran has pushed America's military supply lines to a critical tipping point, according to reports. Draining globa...
By Philip Sheers
-
Sources: 80% of Interceptors for Key Missile Defense System Depleted
Video
“This is a generational gap that cannot be overcome in a short amount of time, and that has major implications for U.S. military power and security around the globe.” Becca Wa...
By Becca Wasser
-
Expert Discusses Dwindling U.S. Munitions Reserve and the Effect on the Iran War
Podcast
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Center for a New American Security Senior Fellow and Program Director Stacie Pettyjohn about the shortage of U.S. long-range precision missiles...
By Stacie Pettyjohn
