Former State Department lawyer Brian Finucane, now a Senior Advisor at the International Crisis Group, joined me today for an important discussion on the many legal issues implicated in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Brian is not only wicked smart, he’s also precise and succinct — so we were able to cover a lot of territory!
The key topics we examined included:
The triple illegality of the Iran war, which violates: 1) the Constitution, 2) the UN Charter, and now that the 60-day mark has passed: 3) the War Powers Resolution
Why the Trump Administration’s claims that it is not violating the War Powers Resolution — because “hostilities … have terminated” — lack merit
Whether war can be justified by the argument that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon
US conduct of the war and abandoning the directive to minimize civilian casualties
Legal status of Israel’s war in Lebanon
Why the undermining of laws at home in the US and abroad matters
What Americans should push our Members of Congress and those running for elected office to do
Accountability — what it looks like and whether it will be possible to achieve it
Was this discussion helpful? Illuminating? I’d love to hear what you think!
Friends, I’ve been working hard to bring you top-tier, multifaceted analysis to keep you informed throughout the US-Israeli war against Iran. If you appreciate the insights The Debrief brings you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber now. You can also show your support with a one-time donation in any amount. Thank you.
Catch me on THE LEFT HOOK with Wajahat Ali tomorrow at 1pm Eastern!
Many of you are big fans of Wajahat Ali — and that includes my mother, who made sure to tell Waj that he’s handsome the last time we were on air together. Ah, the things that wonderful 80-year-old Jewish ladies can get away with!
Tune into The Debrief / Left Hook around 1pm tomorrow and you’ll be in good company!
Friday, May 8, at 12pm Eastern: Gulf States Under Pressure
In the podcast I did on Friday, Iran expert Trita Parsi made the bold claim that the Iran war will lead to the breakup of the Gulf Cooperation Council — the regional organization of six Gulf Arab monarchies that formed in 1981. Whether the GCC might actually collapse is an open question, but there’s no doubt that the Gulf order is under considerable pressure, with UAE’s announced withdrawal from the Saudi-dominated OPEC oil cartel as the most recent sign.
To discuss how the US-Israeli war against Iran is impacting the Gulf states and what the future may hold, I’m pleased to welcome Gulf expert Dr. Dania Thafer (bio) to The Debrief. Dr. Thafer is the Executive Director of the Gulf International Forum and professorial lecturer at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.
Hope to see you tomorrow and/or Friday!
Warm regards,
Debra
