Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)
258 Articles
The House’s New Proposal for an AUMF Against ISIL
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) proposed today an authorization for military force against ISIL, detailed in a statement on his website, complete with draft text. Schiff’s proposal…
When Institutions Fail: A Thought Experiment
[Editors’ Note: The following post is the second installment of a new feature, “Monday Reflections,” in which a different Just Security editor will take a…
White House Relies on 2002 Iraq Authorization—But What’s the Theory?
The New York Times’ Charlie Savage reports that the White House is relying not only on the 2001 authorization to use military force (the Sept 11th AUMF) but also the 2002 authorization…
A Response to Bruce Ackerman’s NYT Op-Ed on the President’s War Powers
Bruce Ackerman’s Op-Ed in the New York Times today is an interesting read. In it, he makes some impassioned arguments against the President’s legal justifications for the…

The Bells of September
This September 11th, I traveled with my little boy down the tree-lined beauty of Savannah to Reynolds Square where, amidst the draped Spanish Moss, historic Christ Church rang…
The Coming Congressional “Authorization” to Use Force Against ISIL?
Many commentators and news outlets are focused on whether the White House will seek, or Congress will pass, authorization for the President to use military force against ISIL.…
The Guns of September
[Editors’ Note: The following post is the first installment of a new feature, “Monday Reflections,” in which a different Just Security editor will take a longer…
Exhibit #1: How Not to Authorize Armed Conflict
Rep Frank Wolf (R-VA) is planning to introduce a new force authorization when Congress returns from recess next week. Entitled an “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against…
Harold Koh on the International and Domestic Legal Options for Containing ISIL
Just Security’s Harold Koh has a must-read piece in Politico, analyzing the legal and policy choices for the President to confront ISIL. Harold stakes out several important…
The Administration’s Theory for How the 2001 AUMF Could Apply to ISIS
Senator Tim Kaine, in a statement on Monday, marked out the position that expanded military operations against ISIS are not covered by Congress’s 2001 authorization for use of…
Cert. petition in Ali accepts Justice Breyer’s invitation
As I posted back in April, Justice Breyer issued a statement respecting denial of certiorari in the case of Hussain v. Obama in which he more or less invited Guantánamo habeas…
New Proposal for Gradual Repeal of the AUMF
As debate over the future of the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force continues, today the National Security Network has released a report contributing to the discussion. Ending…