Outside the Beltway

For the first time since the end of World War II, the GOP is wrestling with two diametrically opposed visions of foreign affairs.

Contrary to what Senator McCain, seeking realism in military policy does not make one an isolationist.

President Obama overruled his top legal advisors in deciding that the Libya operation does not amount to “hostilities” under the War Powers Act.

The White House’s assertion that Libya isn’t covered by the War Powers Act isn’t being accepted on Capitol Hill.

Michele Bachmann is not Sarah Palin.

The Obama Administration tells Congress that it doesn’t need to comply with the War Powers Act because the Act does not apply to the mission in Libya.

Dennis Kucinich and nine other Members of Congress are suing the President. They won’t get very far.

Ousting evil dictators is harder than it looks.

Sandy Levinson suggests that there is a key lesson from the Founders that we ignore.

The House GOP and the White House moved one step closer to a constitutional confrontation, but is it much ado about nothing?

WaPo’s Jackson Diehl asks, “Will the GOP nominate a dove?”

My latest piece for The Atlantic, “Is the U.S.-European Relationship Really in Decline?” is posted.

The War Powers Act’s 90 day limit is in sight. Will Congress force the president’s hand?

The American public is increasingly skeptical of foreign adventurism. Why aren’t our political candidates reflecting that?

Clearly there’s a large ambiguity in the Constitutional gap between the two separate war-related powers of Congress and the Executive. The WPA can be seen as an attempt to resolve it but can’t if it’s unconstitutional.

The Anthony Weiner reveals once again the odd American obsession with the intersection of sex and politics.

Sure, there’s a lot of crap out there. But it’s easier to find good information and engage with experts than ever.

Despite what appear to be the fond hope of European central bankers that it will just all go away, something needs to be done. But what?

Cynthia Tucker regrets her support for majority-minority districts.

The House of Representatives has voted 416-5 for a resolution prohibiting President Obama from sending ground troops to Libya

While President Obama has had some amusing gaffes on his trip to London, including getting the year wrong in the guest book and an awkward toast to the Queen, his speech to Parliament today hit all the right notes.

The selection process for the Joint Chiefs has been most odd.

A summary of the status of the “Arab Spring” uprisings with links to news coverage and commentary.

Comparing Obama to Carter on foreign policy (especially in terms of electoral politics) doesn’t make sense.

The Obama Administration is offering an odd explanation for why it doesn’t need to comply with the War Powers Act.

It has now been 60 days since American involvement in Libya commenced. Congress has failed to act, and that’s their fault.

Once again, an American President thinks he can bring peace to the Middle East.

Once again, Congressional abdication has led to an Executive Branch power grab.

The ICC may issue a warrant for Gaddafi.

Is the war in Libya illegal?

Elias Isquith proclaims my Atlantic essay “How Perpetual War Became U.S. Ideology” to be “a total disaster.”

Technology has saved the lives of countless American soldiers. But it’s made going to war easier.

The 60 day deadline for Presidential discretion under the War Powers Act will expire next week. Congress won’t do anything about it.

Why the United States has found itself in a seemingly endless series of wars over the past two decades.

A lot of people appear confused at to what the debt ceiling is and why it has to be raised.

Sunday’s announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden was the latest example of how Twitter has become the go-to source for “Breaking News.”

Last night’s Presidential Debate in South Carolina was interesting, but, in the end, not very important.