Presidency

Question 1

Evidence of Congress overruling Obama foreign policy

Answer 1

Obama unwilling to act in Syria after they broke a ‘red line’ due to low chance of congress approval.
Unable to fulfill election pledge to shut Guantanamo Bay due to inability to secure congress approval to relocate inmates.

Question 2

Evidence of Congress overruling Trump foreign policy

Answer 2

Air strikes in Syria blocked by Congress due to threat of provoking a wider conflict with Russia and Iran.
Congress went against Trump’s interests in Saudi Arabia: withdrew military assistance from Saudi backed gov in Yemen, and implicated Trump’s Saudi ally in murder of a journalist
Bipartisan opposition eg. 2019 Senate vote which was 68-23 in favour of questioning Trump’s plans to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan and Iran.

Question 3

Evidence of Congress overruling Biden foreign policy

Answer 3

Not overruling but exerting power over in that they had to approve funds for sending aid- initially $200 billion military and economic and then $300 billion military aid in 2024.

Question 4

Evidence of Biden’s power over foreign policy

Answer 4

Despite 2024 poll stating that 61% of Americans wanted to limit financial aid sent to Ukraine and 70% wanted a peace negotiation, Biden administration stood by initial policy that they’d back Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’.
Biden overruling Trump’s executive orders and rejoining Paris Climate Agreement.

Question 5

Evidence of Trump’s power over foreign policy

Answer 5

Forefront of diplomacy with North Korea, Russia, Israel.
Popularity of ‘America First’ approach in key Rust-Belt states empower his foreign policy initiatives.
Moves US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem despite international diplomatic consensus not to recognise disputed territory as a capital city.
Imposition of 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico 2nd term.
Agreements to bypass necessity of Congress ratification- eg. leaving WHO

Question 6

Evidence of Obama’s power over foreign policy

Answer 6

Carrying out drone strikes over Iraq, Afghanistan and others without congressional approval.
Wins Nobel Peace Prize- ensures legitimacy

Question 7

Other limits on president’s power over foreign policy

Answer 7

Influence of public opinion: negative public reaction and protests against Obama drone strikes hinder foreign policy confidence and dissuade action in Syria.
State + administrative opposition: Trump’s Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clashed with Trump over Iran and Paris Agreement withdrawal; powerful states like California saw huge protests against withdrawal from Paris Agreement.

Question 8

Evidence of Bush’s power over foreign policy

Answer 8

Appointment of John Bolton as Ambassador to UN done as a recess appointment to bypass Congress.
Largely unilateral- lack of support yet acts anyway
Bush Doctrine: notion of preemptive military strikes, and ‘Axis of Evil’- Iran, Iraq and North Korea
Empowered due to crisis- War on Terror following 9/11

Question 9

Evidence of Congress overruling Clinton foreign policy

Answer 9

Signs Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions but is not ratified by the Senate.

Question 10

Evidence of Congress power over Bush

Answer 10

Received some useful funding from Congress for initiatives in Africa (surrounding Malaria, Aids) during Lame Duck period.