Congress and the War on Terror: Making Policy for the Long War

by Darren A. Wheeler

Overview

As the U.S. government continues the battle against terrorism, Congress—representatives of the people—must develop long-term policies that provide for national security and protect the civil liberties of the American people.

Much of the conversation surrounding the War on Terror focuses on presidential power and responses to the president's exercising that power. Often overlooked or downplayed is the role of Congress in directing the outcome of the war. This book illustrates how Congress—in conjunction with the president and the judiciary—has played a key role in laying the foundation for many post-9/11 policies in areas such as surveillance and detention.

Instead of arguing that Congress is incapable of making successful counterterrorism policy, Congress and the War on Terror objectively examines what Congress has done in the past to suggest what action may be needed in the future. Covering controversial topics including torture, interrogation, drones, and military tribunals, it shows that only understanding previous decisions will enable Americans to determine what role Congress should play as the United States fights terror.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798216064916
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/17/2018
Series:	Conflict and Today's Congress
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	7 - 17 Years

About the Author

Darren A. Wheeler earned his PhD in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, specializing in public law. He is currently associate professor of political science at Ball State University.
Darren A. Wheeler earned his PhD in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, specializing in public law. He is currently associate professor of political science at Ball State University.

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Electronic Surveillance and National Security
Chapter 3 Interrogation and Torture
Chapter 4 Military Tribunals
Chapter 5 Drones and Targeted Killing
Chapter 6 Making Policy for the Long War
Notes
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Louis Fisher

"With close and insightful analysis, Darren A. Wheeler covers the post-9/11 period on such issues as electronic surveillance, interrogation of detainees, torture, military tribunals, efforts to close Guantánamo, and the use of armed drones. Although the Supreme Court from the 1936 Curtiss-Wright case forward regularly endorsed independent presidential power in external affairs, in four decisions after 9/11 the Court from Rasul to Boumedience placed important limits on the executive authority by affirming the system of checks and balances."

Lee H. Hamilton

"Darren A. Wheeler's carefully researched and fluidly written book makes the claim that our counter terrorism policy has been developed by all three of the branches of government working together. He gives a boost to my confidence that we may be returning to the regular-order process in the development of American foreign policy that enabled us to become a respected world leader."