Constrain! Restrain!
By Over at the Diplomat I look into whether adherence to an expansive understanding of the War Powers Resolution could constrain US alliance commitments in East Asia. Short answer: Not very much.
President Obama’s decision to seek Congressional authorization for military action against Syria has renewed discussion over the meaning and impact of the War Powers Resolution. Some commentators,including Peter Spiro, have argued that President Obama’s decision to seek authorization places executiveforeign policy prerogatives in serious jeopardy. Given that part of the purpose of the War Powers Act was to prevent the executive from undertaking conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War, it makes sense to wonder what potential effects the decision to seek authorization for the use of force against Syria might have on U.S. commitments in Asia.