Matthew Waxman

Brian Finucane, a Senior Adviser at the International Crisis Group, and Matthew Waxman, a law professor at Columbia, dive into the complexities of U.S. war powers following recent military actions. They discuss the Biden administration's legal justifications for operations in the Middle East without new congressional approvals. The duo explores historical contexts of the War Powers Resolution, the risks of 'creative lawyering' by the executive, and potential reforms for better congressional oversight. Their insights reveal the ongoing tension between executive authority and legislative accountability in matters of war.

Matthew Waxman, Liviu Librescu Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, discusses the law of war, its importance, and its application in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. They explore topics such as military necessity vs humanitarian interest, bright line rules, reasonableness, sieges, weaponizing the law, perverse incentives, and the evolution of the law.

Legal experts Harold Koh, Deborah Pearlstein, and Matthew Waxman discuss Trump v. United States and the National Security Constitution, exploring implications of executive power, presidential immunity, checks and balances, and calls for structural reforms to strengthen Congress in national security matters.

Matthew Waxman, a national security scholar and law professor at Columbia, joins Michael Ramsey, a historian of constitutional war powers from the University of San Diego. They dive into the constitutional nuances of war power delegations, emphasizing Congress's authority over the president's military initiation power. Key discussions include the evolution of war powers from the Founding era to today, highlighting early authorizations and the implications of broad AUMFs post-Cold War. Their insights shed light on the ongoing tension between legislative intent and executive authority.

Matthew Waxman, a national security law expert and Columbia Law professor, dives into the legality of U.S. strikes on Venezuelan drug boats, discussing claims of self-defense and potential legal challenges. Meanwhile, Paul Callan, a former Manhattan prosecutor, tackles Supreme Court questions about attorney-client communication during testimony breaks, differentiating permissible advice from potential coaching. Both guests illuminate the intersection of law, national security, and ethics in the judicial system.