Learning Objective 4.1: Discuss how the powers and constrains of the Constitution influence the president’s role in foreign policy.

Video

• Bush declares war on terror
  
  • Summary: President George W. Bush’s September 20, 2001 speech to Congress in which the first use of the phrase “War on Terror” is documented.

• Cheney’s law
  
  • Summary: The Frontline documentary “Cheney’s Law” about Vice President Dick Cheney’s work to expand presidential war powers.

Web Resources

• Presidential war powers
  
  • Summary: A selection of quotes from several “Founding Fathers” on the powers of the office of President.

• Lincoln war powers
  
  • Summary: A page describing President Abraham Lincoln’s use and misuse of presidential powers.

 

Learning Objective 4.2: Identify the ways that presidential prerogative is evident in three areas of U.S. foreign policy.

Web Resources

• 2011 Libyan conflict
  
  • Summary: An article describing some of the U.S. decisions in the 2011 Libyan civil war, including the decision to not use ground forces.

• Unlawful enemy combatants
  
  • Summary: An executive order from President George W. Bush defining persons who may be subject to military tribunals.

• Ending coercive interrogations
  
  • Summary: An executive order from President Barack Obama regarding treatment of military detainees and contingent intelligence gathering.

• Obama and soft power
  
  • Summary: An article criticizing the Obama Administration for utilizing hard power while emphasizing the rhetoric of soft power

 

Learning Objective 4.3: Describe the White House centered structure of foreign policy decision-making and how it has changed over time.

Video

• The Indomitable Theodore Roosevelt
  
  • Summary: A short video discussing President Theodore Roosevelt’s role in fighting industrial monopolists and in the construction of the Panama Canal.

Web Resources

• Detainees, Guantanamo
  
  • Summary: An interactive tool documenting the prison population at Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba

• Obama and Libya
  
  • Summary: A U.N. Security Council resolution instating a no-fly zone, arms embargo, and asset freeze in Libya as well as authorizing use of force to protect civilians

• The real Jimmy Carter?
  
  • Summary: An article describing President Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy as more successful than it is generally regarded

• Obama and unmanned drones
  
  • Summary: An infographic depicting strikes by UAVs under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia

• Contrasting Clinton and Obama
  
  • Summary: A short article containing some of former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers description of the operation and management styles of Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

 

Learning Objective 4.4: Explain the role of the judicial branch on U.S. foreign policy.

Video

• Abu Ghraib prison
  • Summary: A 60-Minutes segment on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war at Abu Ghraib prison.