Strategic Implications for Shared Constitutional War Powers in the 21st Century

The purpose of this research project is to examine shared constitutional war powers between the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. Government and identify implications of this relationship on future military strategies and force employment. Several factors highlight the relevance of this topic for senior military officers. First, increasing U.S. military deployments, spanning the spectrum of conflict, are a source of frustration and concern for professional military officers as they affect long-term military readiness and question the basic philosophy and purpose for military forces. Second, since the end of the Cold War, U.S. Presidents have shown an increasing and unchallenged propensity to use military force, in combination with the other elements of national power, to achieve broad policy objectives. Third, emerging threats to U.S. interests are becoming more asymmetric, encompassing sophisticated technical and nationalistic threats that will likely require a wide variety of military force responses. A historical review of shared war powers and a look at the future environment reveal that the problem will not be alleviated soon. Accelerated and radical force transformation and continued engagement in the national security process are the two best tools for supporting political authorities charged with employing military force in the national interest.