Stevenson’s army, January 10

– The House on Thursday voted 224-194 to force the president to cease military operations against Iran within 60 days. The measure was H Con Res 83, and that’s significant in many ways. As a concurrent resolution, it would never be presented to the president for approval or veto, even if the Senate passed identical language. But it was not necessary toothless. Ever since the Chadha immigration case in 1983, lawyers have assumed that the provision in the War Powers Resolution allowing Congress to force a withdrawal of troops from combat by concurrent resolution — instead of a joint resolution that the president could veto — was inoperative. This measure would test that assumption, if approved by the Senate [which seems unlikely]. The measure also provides conditions superseding its effect: Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military, unless—

(1) Congress has declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for such use of the Armed Forces; or

(2) such use of the Armed Forces is necessary and appropriate to defend against an imminent armed attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its Armed Forces, consistent with the requirements of the War Powers Resolution.

Both support and opposition to the measure was bipartisan

A Cornell prof has a concise piece explaining why Congress hardly ever really wants to limit warmaking presidents — they don’t want to be held accountable.

NYT reports on the debate and Senate prospects.

The Iraqi premier has called for talks with US on troop withdrawal. WaPo looks at the consequences.

Navy Times has a good piece explaining how countries without diplomatic relations — like US & Iran — communicate with each other.

On WOTR, a CSIS analyst says we misunderstand the value of China’s ocean bases.

Retired AU prof has good ideas for strengthening State Dept.

My SAIS colleague Charlie Stevenson distributes this almost daily news digest of foreign/defense/national security policy to “Stevenson’s army” via Googlegroups. I plan to republish here. If you want to get it directly, To get Stevenson’s army by email, send a blank email (no subject or text in the body) to stevensons-army+subscribe@googlegroups.com. You’ll get an email confirming your join request. Click “Join This Group” and follow the instructions to join. Once you have joined, you can adjust your email delivery preferences (if you want every email or a digest of the emails).