Defense and Military
Defense and military affairs cover the armed forces, how they are organized and paid for, and when and how they are used. The president commands the military, Congress funds it and declares war, and the Department of Defense runs it day to day. The subject also includes the people who serve, the equipment they use, and the laws that govern them.
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All Articles on Defense and Military
Why U.S. Navy Ships Cost So Much and Take So Long to Build
The United States Navy, the preeminent maritime force of the modern era, is trapped in a logistical and economic paradox. Despite a shipbuilding budget…
What Happens to NATO If the U.S. Threatens a Member’s Territory?
This indicates that approximately 9-10% of Senate Republicans are willing to constrain Trump on military action grounds, though a veto override would require 67…
Why U.S. Presidents Can Order Cyberattacks Without Congressional Approval
The president can order a cyberattack on Iran's power grid without asking Congress. But if he wants to send a missile at the same…
Can Congress Stop a President from Launching Military Strikes?
The constitutional framework looks simple enough on paper: Congress declares war, the President commands the armed forces. But when President Trump threatens military strikes…
Can the U.S. Legally Use Force Against a NATO Ally?
President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the United States would acquire Greenland "whether they like it or not." He offered Denmark…
What Authority Does the President Have to Seize Foreign Territory?
The United States has never faced this question in modern history: What legal authority does a sitting president have to seize foreign territory by…
War Powers and the Limits on Threatening Military Force
Can a president threaten strikes against another country to protect that country's own citizens from their government? The answer from experts is nearly unanimous:…
What Happens to NATO If the U.S. Attacks Denmark?
President Donald Trump has refused to rule out using force to seize Greenland from Denmark. Not economic pressure. Not diplomatic isolation. Actual force against…
Presidential Authority for Military Action Without Ground Troops
On January 3, 2026, 150 U.S. aircraft struck military installations in Caracas while Delta Force operators captured President Nicolás Maduro. The administration called it…
How Presidential War Powers Work Without Congressional Approval
Learn when presidents may use military force before Congress votes, how War Powers deadlines work, and how lawmakers and courts can respond.