The Obama Administration needs an expanded legal justification for the war against ISIS, with the current Authorization for Use of Military Force falling short of activity in Syria and needed protection of US-backed rebels, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) on Thursday. Kaine, in a discussion with reporters in Washington, D.C., said the current legal justification does not apply to activity against the Syrian regime or ISIS because the AUMF only covers reaction to the 9/11 attacks. “The administration knows it is on thin ice on its legal justification” and has reached out to Congress for a new authorization, but since then there’s just been “crickets” on Capitol Hill, he said. Kaine released a statement earlier this week calling for debate on the new AUMF in Congress. However, the US would be on sound legal ground to help set up a humanitarian zone in northern Syria for aid because of UN Security Council Resolutions that authorize the provision of aid without approval from the Assad regime.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
