How it works: in theory
War Powers: Who Controls the Armed Forces?
Has the power to deploy troops
as commander in chiefAmerica’s ongoing intervention
in the Syrian civil war illustrates how
the constitutional allocation of war
powers plays out in practice. Although
presidents Obama and Trump had
the authority to order U.S. forces into
combat, their actions were taken after
consultation with other nations and
debate within the United Nations, and
were subject to congressional review
and limitations.How it works: in practice
America’s Role in Syria’s Civil War
Under the War Powers
Resolution, has to notify
Congress, and the use of force
must be terminated within
60 days if Congress does not
approve. However, Congress
has never voted to terminate
military action, and most
presidents have argued that
the act is unconstitutional.Has the power to declare war
Congress has not used this power
since World War II.Has the power of the purse
Congress can provide or withhold
funding for military action.- As you see in this example,
though the president is
commander in chief, military
action generally follows
an extended process of
consultation and negotiation
with members of Congress and
representatives from other
nations. What are the benefits
and costs of this deliberative
process? - At the beginning of this
c hapter, we noted that some
Americans believe that “politics
stops at the water’s edge.” Does
the United States’ intervention
in the Syrian civil war support or
disprove this statement?
Critical Thinking
Civil war!
March 2011: A civil war
begins between the
Syrian government and
opposition forces.It gets
worse.2012 –14: Reports
surface of Syrian
government attacks
on civilians (some using
chemical weapons).
Civilians fleeing the
conflict flood into
refugee camps in
neighboring countries.International
agreement.September 2013:
Under pressure from the
international community
and the United Nations,
the Syrian government
agrees to destroy all of
its chemical weapons.Taking sides.
Soon after the conflict
begins, the United
States and its allies
send assistance to
opposition forces, while
Russia helps the Syrian
government.Change,
or the same?Incoming president
Trump promises a
more aggressive
U.S. policy in Syria.Giving the
go-ahead.September 2014:
President Obama requests
that Congress appropriate
funds to aid Syrian rebels
and orders airstrikes
against ISIL forces.
Congress approves both
actions, and airstrikes
soon begin.Missile
attacks.In April 2017, U.S. cruise
missiles are used to
destroy a Syrian air
force base that was
used to launch chemical
weapons attacks against
opposition forces.Nope.
September 2013:
Attempts by Senate
Democrats to authorize
intervention in the Syrian
civil war are defeated.Uh oh...
January 2012: ISIL
forces move from Iraq
to Syria, capturing
territory from both
government and
opposition forces.Armed Forces
The President
Congress
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