Obama at War: Congress and the Imperial Presidency (Studies In Conflict Diplomacy Peace)

During President Barack Obama's first term in office, the United States expanded its military presence in Afghanistan and increased drone missile strikes across Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. The administration also deployed the military to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, engaged in a sustained bombing operation in Libya, and deployed U.S. Special Forces in Central Africa to capture or kill Joseph Kony. In these cases, President Obama decided to use force without congressional approval. Yet, this increased executive power has not been achieved simply by the presidential assertion of such powers. It has also been supported by a group of senators and representatives who, for political reasons that stem from constant campaigning, seek to avoid responsibility for military action abroad. In this revealing book, Ryan C. Hendrickson examines President Obama's use of force in his first term with four major case studies. He demonstrates that, much like his predecessors, Obama has protected the executive branch's right not only to command, but also to determine when and where American forces are deployed. He also considers the voting records of Democrat John Kerry and Republican John McCain in the Senate, detailing how both men have played leading roles in empowering the commander-in-chief while limiting Congress's influence on military decision-making. Obama at War establishes that the imperial presidency poses significant foreign policy risks, and concludes with possible solutions to restore a more meaningful balance of power. The first book on the constitutional and political relationship between President Obama and the U.S. Congress and the use of military force, this timely reassessment of war powers provides a lucid examination of executive privilege and legislative deference in the modern American republic. During President Barack Obama's First Term In Office, The United States Expanded Its Military Presence In Afghanistan And Increased Drone Missile Strikes Across Pakistan, Yemen, And Somalia. The Administration Also Deployed The Military To Combat Piracy In The Indian Ocean, Engaged In A Sustained Bombing Operation In Libya, And Deployed U.s. Special Forces In Central Africa To Capture Joseph Kony. In These Cases, President Obama Decided To Use Force Without Congressional Approval. Yet, This Increased Executive Power Has Not Been Achieved Simply By The Presidential Assertion Of Such Powers. It Has Also Been Supported By A Group Of Senators And Representatives Who, For Political Reasons, Seek To Avoid Responsibility For Military Action Abroad. Hendrickson Examines President Obama's Use Of Force In His First Term With Four Major Case Studies. He Demonstrates That, Much Like His Predecessors, Obama Has Protected The Executive Branch's Right Not Only To Command, But Also To Determine When And Where American Forces Are Deployed. He Also Considers The Voting Records Of Democrat John Kerry And Republican John Mccain In The Senate, Detailing How Both Men Have Played Leading Roles In Empowering The Commander-in-chief While Limiting Congress's Influence On Military Decision-making. Obama At War Establishes That The Imperial Presidency Poses Significant Foreign Policy Risks, And Concludes With Possible Solutions To Restore A More Meaningful Balance Of Power. The First Book On The Constitutional And Political Relationship Between President Obama And The U.s. Congress And The Use Of Military Force, This Reassessment Of War Powers Provides A Lucid Examination Of Executive Privilege And Legislative Deference In The Modern American Republic--provided By Publisher. Introduction: Red Lines For War -- The War Powers Framework For The Obama Presidency -- Afghanistan, Drone Warfare, And The Kill List -- Fighting Pirates On The Indian Ocean -- Obama's Military Strikes On Libya -- The Hunt For Joseph Kony -- Senators Kerry And Mccain : Empowering The Commanders In Chief -- Syria And Beyond. Ryan C. Hendrickson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. During President Barack Obama's first term in office, the United States expanded its military presence in Afghanistan and increased drone missile strikes across Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. The administration also deployed the military to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, engaged in a sustained bombing operation in Libya, and deployed U.S. Special Forces in Central Africa to capture or kill Joseph Kony. In these cases, President Obama decided to use force without congressional approval. Yet, this increased executive power has not been achieved simply by the presidential assertion of such powers. It has also been supported by a group of senators and representatives who, for political reasons that stem from constant campaigning, seek to avoid responsibility for military action abroad.In this revealing book, Ryan C. Hendrickson examines President Obama's use of force in his first term with four major case studies. He demonstrates that, much like his predecessors, Obama has protected the executive branch's right not only to command, but also to determine when and where American forces are deployed. He also considers the voting records of Democrat John Kerry and Republican John McCain in the Senate, detailing how both men have played leading roles in empowering the commander-in-chief while limiting Congress's influence on military decision-making. __Obama at War__ Copyright 5 Contents 8 Introduction 10 1 The War Powers Framework for the Obama Presidency 16 2 Afghanistan, Drone Warfare, and the Kill List 34 3 Fighting Pirates on the Indian Ocean 48 4 Obama’s Military Strikes on Libya 64 5 The Hunt for Joseph Kony 80 6 Senators Kerry and McCain 98 7 Syria and Beyond 122 Acknowledgments 138 Notes 140 Selected Bibliography 168 Index 176