| There Are Limits |
12 May 2003
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Congress Blocks Arms Deal with Allies
When the US sells weapons to another government, even a friendly one, the deal must be reviewed by Congress. The Bush administration, in a fit of folly, wanted to get this removed for deals with the UK and Australia -- America's allies in the war against Ba'athist Iraq. No matter what one thinks of the war and of the two countries in question, it would simply be bad policy for the US to surrender this final review of any arms sale.
It is hard to envision a situation involving the UK or Australia that would result in the US administration sending arms to London or Canberra that would be so unpopular with the American people that Congress couldn't pass such a deal. However, Congress must retain this check against any president as a matter of constitutional balance. Sending arms may no make one a belligerent in international law, but it certainly puts a country on a particular side in any given conflict.
If sides are to be taken, and if force is to be used in a conflict, Congress should be on the hook morally as much as the president. This will prevent a Vietnam-like division between Congress and the White House, much to the benefit of the man in the Oval Office.
The Bush administration does not do well at multi-lateralism, but it has been rather sharp at protecting its own power. Therefore, this current lapse of concentration is unlikely to be repeated. One hopes.