WHAT: Analysis & Discussion of President Obama’s primetime speech on ISIS & 9/11 anniversary
WHEN: September 11 - ongoing.
WHERE: American University, in-studio, or via telephone
Contact: J. Paul Johnson, American University Communications, via telephone at 202-885-5943 via cell at 202-497-3174 or via e-mail at [email protected]
September 11, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – President Obama’s speech on the eve of the anniversary of 9/11 and new threats posed by ISIS raise several questions ranging from foreign policy shifts, terrorism threats, military options and presidential authority to act via the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs or through inherent presidential powers. American University experts are available to analyze and discuss the various aspects of Obama’s speech tonight.
U.S. Foreign Policy & PoliticsJames Goldgeier, dean of the School of International Service, is an expert on contemporary U.S. foreign policy, international relations, NATO, and transatlantic security. Dean Goldgeier held positions in the U.S. Department of State and on the White House Security Council staff during the Clinton administration. Dean Goldgeier is author of America Between the Wars: From 11/9 to 9/11 (co-authored with Derek Chollet). He is available to discuss President Obama’s shift in policy to become re-engaged in Iraq to combat ISIS as the landscape has shifted under his presidency, coalition building with allies to address the ISIS threat, and analysis of the speech.
Jordan Tama, professor in the School of International Service, specializes in the politics, processes, and institutions of U.S. foreign and national security policy making, including presidential-congressional relations, national security strategy, and intelligence & counterterrorism policy. Prof. Tama is available to discuss the politics of the issue on Capitol Hill.
Presidential Authority & PowersChris Edelson, professor in the School of Public Affairs, is a constitutional law expert who focuses his research on constitutional interpretation, presidential power, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Edelson is author of Emergency Presidential Power: From the Drafting of the Constitution to the War on Terror. Prof. Edelson is available to discuss Obama’s bypassing congressional authority to intervene in Iraq and Syria specifically discussing how the War Powers Act, 2001 AUMF and 2002 AUMF affect his ability to act without specific authorization.
Shoon Murray, professor in the School of International service, is an expert on U.S. foreign policy focusing her research on adjustment to global power shifts and diffusion, the political consequences of September 11th, the effect of polls on presidential behavior, and public reactions to military force and the “rally ‘round the flag phenomenon. Prof. Murray is the author of The Terror Authorization: The History and Politics of the 2001 AUMF (June 2014) and her forthcoming book Mission Creep: The Militarization of US Foreign Policy (December 2014). Prof. Murray can speak about why she disagrees with President Obama’s assertion that he has the authority he needs for a sustained campaign against ISIS that involves military force without going to Congress. In particular, she can discuss why the War Powers Resolution places limits on him as well as why he cannot rely on the 2002 AUMF that was clearly not written for these circumstances or the 2001 AUMF by saying that ISIS is an associate of AQAP which is an associate of al Qaeda.
Terrorism ExpertsJoe Young, professor in the School of Public Affairs’ Department of Justice, Law & Criminology, focuses his research on cross-national causes and consequences of political violence, transnational terrorism, civil war & insurgency, and interstate war. Prof. Young is available to talk about President Obama’s strategy, whether it is likely to work to degrade ISIS' capacity, and how it might lead to more/less terrorism.
Military Strategy & OptionsGordon Adams, professor in the School of International Service, is an expert on U.S. Foreign Policy, who is published widely on defense and national security policy, the defense policy process, and national security budgets. Prof. Adams oversaw the national security budget at OMB during the Clinton administration. He is the co-author of the forthcoming book Mission Creep: The Militarization of US Foreign Policy (December 2014) Prof. Adams can discuss the downside risks of military engagement in the region and the issue of paying for military action in the age of sequester.
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