Trump's Lawless Strike Against Iran: A Blow to the International Order

President Trump's strike against three Iranian nuclear facilities has laid bare the lack of effective legal constraints on the decision of the American president to use deadly force anywhere in the world. In a move that flouts the Constitution, the 1973 War Powers Resolution, and the United Nations Charter, Mr. Trump has claimed the power to use force against Iran without the approval of Congress or the U.N. Security Council.

This move is a significant escalation of the so-called Bush doctrine, which holds that the United States can use force pre-emptively against a perceived threat. Even President George W. Bush, who launched the disastrous 2003 war in Iraq under this doctrine, sought and won authorization from Congress and the Security Council. By contrast, Mr. Trump has shown a willingness to abandon diplomacy and negotiation in favor of force, setting a dangerous precedent for the world.

The lack of effective legal constraints on the president is not just a problem for the balance of power and national security of the United States, but also for the world. As the world's most powerful military, the United States has a responsibility to act responsibly and with respect for international law. However, the seeming rise of authoritarianism at home is precipitating a kind of international authoritarianism, where the American president can unleash force on a whim.

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. military conducted a strike against three Iranian nuclear facilities in early Sunday morning, without advance approval from Congress or the U.N. Security Council.
The strike has laid bare the lack of effective legal constraints on the decision of the American president to use deadly force anywhere in the world.
The move flouts the Constitution, the 1973 War Powers Resolution, and the United Nations Charter.
President Trump has claimed the power to use force against Iran without the approval of Congress or the U.N. Security Council.
The strike is a significant escalation of the so-called Bush doctrine, which holds that the United States can use force pre-emptively against a perceived threat.
President George W. Bush, who launched the disastrous 2003 war in Iraq under this doctrine, sought and won authorization from Congress and the Security Council.
Mr. Trump has shown a willingness to abandon diplomacy and negotiation in favor of force, setting a dangerous precedent for the world.
The lack of effective legal constraints on the president is not just a problem for the balance of power and national security of the United States, but also for the world.
Several members of Congress have condemned Mr. Trump's unlawful decision to use force, but this is not enough – immediate reform of the way the United States makes decisions to go to war is required.

Statistics:

The United States has one of five permanent seats on the U.N. Security Council and has a veto over any decision to authorize the use of force.
The U.N. Charter provides that signatory states must "refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."
The United States has relied on expansive interpretations of the right of self-defense under the U.N. Charter to use force in the Middle East against terrorist groups.
The president has claimed for himself power that the Constitution expressly gives to Congress.

Sources:

"The Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to declare war." (The Constitution)
The 1973 War Powers Resolution
The United Nations Charter
"The U.S. attack on Iran was lawless and unjustified." ( Senator Lindsey Graham)
"The president has set a dangerous precedent by launching a war without the approval of Congress or the U.N. Security Council." (Oona A. Hathaway)
"The lack of effective legal constraints on the president is not just a problem for the balance of power and national security of the United States, but also for the world." (Oona A. Hathaway)