Trump the Latest in Long Line of US Presidents Trampling on International Law

Trump, like many presidents before him, essentially argues that international law must be broken if it is to be saved. With the bombing of Syria, however, he violated more than just international law.

John Wojcik
By John Wojcik
From left to right, Presidents McKinley, Johnson, Reagan, Bush, Obama and Trump | Composite image - all photos Creative Commons

The U.S. missile attack on Syria in response to unproven chemical weapons use by the Assad regime once again puts America in violation of the international laws that we claim to support. The UN charter forbids such action unless it is in self-defense or approved by the UN Security Council, neither of which applies in this case. Ominously, the

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The Senate’s New War Powers Bill Actually Expands Perpetual War

The proposed AUMF effectively cements Congress as the war clerk for the Executive Branch, representing a complete abdication of responsibility over matters of war.

Kevin Gosztola
By Kevin Gosztola
Senate Armed Services Committee members Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., left, and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, talk on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, during the committee's confirmation hearing for Navy Secretary nominee Richard Spencer. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A new authorization for the use of military force proposed by Democratic and Republican senators would further entrench the United States in endless war. It would also streamline the ability of President Donald Trump and future presidents to expand the “war on terrorism” to additional countries and broaden a list of “associated forces” that are

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10 Senate Democrats Kill a Bill to End US Military Involvement in Yemen

If ten Democrats who voted to kill the resolution had instead voted no, an extraordinary debate on Saudi Arabia and U.S. support for the war in Yemen would have taken place.

Kevin Gosztola
By Kevin Gosztola
UAE Saudis

The United States Senate killed a resolution introduced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Republican Senator Mike Lee to withdraw U.S. military support for the Saudi war in Yemen. By a vote of 55-44, the resolution was tabled. A simple majority was required to kill the resolution. If ten Democrats who voted to kill the resolution had

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Disaster in Yemen Proves US Needs to Get a Handle on War-Making Powers

With the American public increasingly aghast at the situation in Yemen, and increasingly aware of US military complicity in what has happened, Yemen is the perfect situation for Congress, and by extension, the voters, to reassert control over overseas conflicts.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz
A protest against the US missile strike against Syria during a rally in New York on Friday, April 7, 2017. (AP/Andres Kudacki)

With the Yemen War fast approaching its third anniversary, Afghanistan well into its 17th year, Iraq and Syria seemingly permanent US wars, and escalations ongoing across Africa, the US has seemingly more wars than ever going on. President Trump has been giving the military increasing autonomy in those wars, and the feeling of loss of control is

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Trump’s Massive War Power Giveaway

The U.S. military under Trump is quickly morphing into judge, jury and executioner of any enemy they see fit and are, as recent events suggest, free to attack them in anyway they choose.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Donald Trump military spending

Last year, as Trump’s front-runner status in the Republican primaries began to truly unnerve the conservative establishment, several figures emerged as possible “fail-safes” to the increasing inevitability of a Trump-Clinton showdown. One of these figures was former four-star general James Mattis, now Secretary of Defense, who was courted by “an

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