International Security
Article
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International Security
International Security
International Security is America's leading peer-reviewed journal of security affairs.
Summary
Electoral politics act as an important constraint on presidential decisionmaking in war. When presidents assess military strategies, electoral considerations lead them to delay making unpopular decisions and weaken controversial courses of action. During the Iraq War, these electoral constraints helped shape the timing and nature of both George W. Bush’s surge decision in 2007 and Barack Obama’s withdrawal decision in 2011.
Recommended citation
Andrew Payne, “Presidents, Politics, and Military Strategy: Electoral Constraints during the Iraq War,” International Security, Vol. 44, No. 3 (Winter 2019/20), pp. 163–203, doi.org/10.1162/ISEC_a_00371.
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