I am substantially in agreement with Charlie about congressional war power. And, like him, I’m in disagreement with some scholars we both admire. My position isn't guided by whether a presidential use of force, unauthorized by Congress, would work “substantive, non-defensive change to America’s foreign policy.” I believe (as I’ve long said) that the Constitution empowers the president to use whatever force appears reasonably necessary, even absent Congress’s approval, to overcome an attack or threatened attack on vital American interests; outside of that situation, the president needs congressional authorization.

Concededly, there’s plenty of room in that standard for willful presidents to

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