Episode 62: Presidential Powers, Executive Authority, and the Conflict with Iran
The Trump Administration, alongside Israel, recently deployed targeted airstrikes against high-profile targets in Iran. This comes after weeks of talks between Washington and Iran on the latter's nuclear program. The public and political response has been mixed, with many concerned with the lack of Congressional authority and the regional flashpoints that are likely to ensue.
The conflict is complex both politically and historically. To unpack all that is at stake and what it means both here and abroad, we have called in two faculty experts. Afonso Seixas-Nunes, S.J. is a professor in the Center for International and Comparative Law. He is an expert on the law of war, with a special focus on autonomous weapons systems. Adjunct Professor Gregory Willard is an expert in presidential powers and the executive branch. Professor Willard has a storied history in D.C., where he served as President Gerald Ford's personal aide.