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How Congress became impotent on foreign policy

JL;DR SUMMARY The effectiveness of traditional pro-Israel advocacy within U.S. Congress has diminished due to the increasing consolidation of foreign policy powers by the executive branch, particularly under the Trump administration. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Iran Nuclear DealTrump AdministrationMiddle EastForeign PolicyAipacPro Israel AdvocacyIsrael U.S. RelationsU.S. CongressExecutive PowerBipartisan Relations

Places mentioned

Washington, Washington DC, United States
"If youre a foreign ambassador in Washington, theres no one to talk to at the NSC, lots of vacancies at State, and while there are plenty of people to meet with on the Hill, what are they going to do for you?"
Maryland, United States
"Daniel Silverberg, a former top foreign policy advisor to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), told JI."
Texas, United States
"While some Republican lawmakers have spoken out in recent weeks to set expectations for a deal, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), observers say they are skeptical that Congress will ultimately seek to flex its authority if an agreement comes forward."
Arkansas, United States
"While some Republican lawmakers have spoken out in recent weeks to set expectations for a deal, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), observers say they are skeptical that Congress will ultimately seek to flex its authority if an agreement comes forward."
South Carolina, United States
"While some Republican lawmakers have spoken out in recent weeks to set expectations for a deal, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), observers say they are skeptical that Congress will ultimately seek to flex its authority if an agreement comes forward."
New York, United States
"The ultimate test will be if theres a vote on Iran, said former Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), a pro-Israel Democrat who opposed Obamas deal in 2015."
Israel
"President Trump has a strong pro-Israel and anti-Iran record, but his administration evinced early on a lack of expertise and consistency in its policy toward Irans nuclear program, said Michael Makovsky, president and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America."
Syria
"That Congress had no formal role in Trumps recent decisions to unilaterally reach a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen and to lift sanctions on Syria, for example, has stoked speculation that legislators could also be sidelined from ratifying a potential nuclear deal with Iran."
Yemen
"That Congress had no formal role in Trumps recent decisions to unilaterally reach a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen and to lift sanctions on Syria, for example, has stoked speculation that legislators could also be sidelined from ratifying a potential nuclear deal with Iran."
Iran
"That Congress had no formal role in Trumps recent decisions to unilaterally reach a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen and to lift sanctions on Syria, for example, has stoked speculation that legislators could also be sidelined from ratifying a potential nuclear deal with Iran."
Iraq
"Since then, a law passed by Congress to authorize the invasion in Iraq in 2003 has been used and, critics allege, abused by successive administrations to initiate military action abroad without first seeking approval from lawmakers who are constitutionally empowered to decide when the country goes to war and oversee defense spending."
Ukraine
"But let us not forget that recent Democratic presidents have practically had a free hand, too, in pursuing their own global policies with little reaction or opposition from their party members. Among other examples, Schlesinger cited former President Barack Obamas nuclear deal with Iran brokered without consent from Congress as well as former President Joe Bidens total support for Ukraine in its war against Russia."
Russian Federation
"But let us not forget that recent Democratic presidents have practically had a free hand, too, in pursuing their own global policies with little reaction or opposition from their party members. Among other examples, Schlesinger cited former President Barack Obamas nuclear deal with Iran brokered without consent from Congress as well as former President Joe Bidens total support for Ukraine in its war against Russia."
Gaza, Palestinian Territories
"The absence of congressional influence has come as disagreements have emerged between the Trump administration and the Netanyahu government over ending the war in Gaza and nuclear diplomacy with Iran."

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