| Publication |
2010.
|
| Summary/Abstract |
Despite the presence of a new American Commander in Chief in Barack Obama in 2009, the use of military force abroad remains a staple of American foreign policy. This article examines the constitutional war powers political environment of the Obama presidency, which seeks to explain how the Obama administration perceives its constitutional authority to use force abroad. The article examines President Obama's and Vice President Joseph Biden's previous views on war powers while they served in the United States Senate, and in addition assesses two cases of President Obama's military actions, including examinations of Obama's military policymaking on Afghanistan and Obama's decision to authorize the US Navy Seals' use of force against Somali pirates in 2009. The findings suggest that despite having substantial records in the US Senate of supporting meaningful consultation between the Congress and the President prior to new military action, the Obama administration has acted much like previous Commanders in Chief, who made little effort to consult with Congress. In addition, in contrast to some current war powers scholarship, congressional Democrats have proven most likely to challenge the commander in chief, as most members of Congress have deferred to Obama's leadership. These findings indicate that Congress is unlikely to serve as a significant institutional check on President Obama as commander in chief, and that much like the Bush presidency, the centre of American military policymaking will remain at the White House and not the American Congress.
|