America's Use of Force

America’s approach to the use of force has evolved so much since 1789 that the founders would no longer recognize it. From the Constitution to the War Powers Act to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force, America’s military, defense technology, and enemies—not to mention its role in global security—have undergone profound shifts as well. Has law and practice kept up with the modern uses of force, so frequently off regular battlefields, in cyberspace, perhaps even in space? This talk considers the frameworks political leaders use to make decisions about the use of force, and whether those frameworks are sufficient to modern security challenges