Is America's Presidency Becoming Too Powerful?

About This Episode

Over the past 25 years, American presidents have steadily expanded their executive authority to take the country to war. CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen joins Deep Dish host Leslie Vinjamuri to explain the rise of what he calls the “imperial commander in chief,” what the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan can teach us about Trump's war with Iran, and whether a new Congress taking shape during the midterm elections this week can reclaim its authority over the use of military force. 

Key Takeaways

• Since 9/11, presidents have significantly expanded their power to wage war without the permission of Congress. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force was the beginning of this expansion of power, with only one member of congress voting against it.
• Bergen believes that the cost of war with Iran War has far exceeded the $47 billion assessment that the Pentagon issued.
• Bergen sees similarities in President Obama's and President Trump's restrained approaches to ISIS, calling this the "go light, go long" approach. 
• Bergen identifies a finds weakness in the US presidential system compared to a parliamentary system, saying it would have been much more challenging for the president to send troops to Iraq in 2007 under a parliamentary system.
• The United States tends to confuse tactical success with strategic success, with less thought given to what happens after military operations.
• Bergen believes that Congress needs to use its power of the purse to bring an end to the war with Iran and restrict the imperial tendencies of the executive.