from U.S. Foreign Policy Program

The Use of Force: Strategic, Political, and Legal Considerations

U.S. Marines participate in an amphibious assault exercise as part of the "Cobra Gold 2018" (CG18) joint military exercise at a military base in Chonburi province, Thailand. February 16, 2018. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters

Testimony by John B. Bellinger III

December 13, 2017

Download PDF
U.S. Marines participate in an amphibious assault exercise as part of the "Cobra Gold 2018" (CG18) joint military exercise at a military base in Chonburi province, Thailand. February 16, 2018. Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
Testimony
Testimony by CFR fellows and experts before Congress.

More on:

Military Operations

International Law

Defense and Security

In testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, John B. Bellinger III assessed the domestic and international laws governing the authorization for use of military force.

More on:

Military Operations

International Law

Defense and Security

Explore More on Military Operations

United States

What Does the U.S. National Guard Do?
The National Guard is a special part of the U.S. military that answers to both state governors and the president. While it began as a “strategic reserve,” the guard has come to play an important role in domestic and overseas operations.

Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu and Noah Berman April 3, 2024

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

What Is NATO?
The alliance is bolstering its military deterrent in Europe amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has expanded to include Finland and Sweden.

Backgrounder by Jonathan Masters March 18, 2024

Peacekeeping

The Role of Peacekeeping in Africa
Africa continues to have more peacekeeping missions than any other continent. As conflict-stricken countries increasingly look outside the United Nations for support, experts say reforms are necessary to improve peacebuilding.

Backgrounder by Claire Klobucista and Mariel Ferragamo December 12, 2023

Top Stories on CFR

Turkey

Erdogan’s Crisis of Legitimacy and Its Consequences
Despite the destabilizing effects of his economic and foreign policies, as well as a major election loss, President Erdogan shows no sign of interest in course correction.

Article by Henri J. Barkey May 2, 2024

Economics

Global Inflation Tracker
The CFR Global Inflation Tracker allows you to gauge trends in prices across the world over time.

Tracker by Benn Steil and Elisabeth Harding April 30, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies

China

A Second China Shock, With Brad Setser

Podcast
Brad Setser, the Whitney Shepardson senior fellow at CFR, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the causes and consequences of China’s export surge.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Brad W. Setser April 30, 2024 The President’s Inbox