3 ms·
The potential "collapse" of the US Military (and what does that mean, specifically?) hinders on the assumption that the US will be engaged in foreign conflicts
by unlinked_dll 7y ago
The potential "collapse" of the US Military (and what does that mean, specifically?) hinders on the assumption that the US will be engaged in foreign conflicts across the globe.
I think we'll turn isolationist well before that becomes a reality. Foreign policy wonks can talk up and down about the necessity of American troops to protect human interests in Bangladesh, and to prevent destabilization of neighbors, potential conflict involving nuclear states... but I have trouble seeing the Senate voting to deploy troops when their constituency thinks, "who gives a shit about Bangladesh?"
- mnm1 7y agoTrue, but since the Senate (or house) hasn't been needed to deploy troops for decades, I don't think their viewpoints will matter.
- unlinked_dll 7y agoThe War Powers Resolution [1] requires Congressional notification within 48 hours and limits engagements to 60 days without further approval. Congress hasn't declared war since WW2, but they have been required to both approve military deployment and spending for every conflict since. Most controversially, the Authorization for Use of Force in Iraq [2]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#Questions_regarding_constitutionality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#Question... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Iraq_Resolution_of_2002 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Milit...
- danharaj 7y agoThen American hegemony would collapse.
- shazeubaa 7y agoI'll settle for becoming "non-interventionist" -- we need to stop being the world's police. Show me where in the Constitution that is. If you can, I'll happily go silent.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- StanislavPetrov 7y agoUnfortunately the Senate rarely ever votes on troop deployments - Congress has long since abandoned its Constitutional responsibilities as far as war is concerned. I absolutely agree that our global military empire is unsustainable, financially and otherwise, and will eventually shrink greatly, if not entirely.