“The Constitution,” the eminent political scientist Edward Corwin famously declared, “is an invitation to struggle for the privilege of directing American foreign policy.” I was reminded of Corwin’s assessment when reading Yale law professor Bruce Ackerman’s recent New York Times op ed piece, in which Ackerman castigates President Obama’s justification for his decision to initiate […]…Continue Reading Bombing ISIS: A New Imperial Presidency?
Tag: Obama foreign policy
Why “We Don’t Have A Strategy Yet” Is a Good Strategy For Now
In my years of punditry sophisticated application of political science to presidential politics, it has been rare for a president to both confirm my take on his previous actions and to follow my advice on what to do next within hours of my post on the topic. (Please, hold the hate mail – I’m not […]…Continue Reading Why “We Don’t Have A Strategy Yet” Is a Good Strategy For Now
Why “Don’t Do Stupid Stuff” Becomes An Organizing Principle
With news reports suggesting the Obama administration is contemplating extending air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) into Syria, it is worth revisiting Hillary Clinton’s implicit criticism that Obama’s foreign policy lacks any underlying guiding principles. You will recall that in her interview with the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, Clinton opined that […]…Continue Reading Why “Don’t Do Stupid Stuff” Becomes An Organizing Principle