1. The Presidency in Action

2. Diplomatic and Military Powers
Section 3
Diplomatic and Military Powers

3. Chief Diplomat
Treaties – President makes formal agreements with other nations
Advice and Consent of the Senate
Have same legal standing as laws
Executive Agreements – Agreements between the President and other heads of state.
Do not require Senate consent and do not supersede federal laws – but do have force of law.

5. Diplomatic Recognition
Acknowledging the existence of another sovereign nation
Usually carried out through the exchange of diplomats
Powerful political tool – can guarantee the success or failure of another nation.
President can recall diplomats or declare diplomat persona non grata
Most severe example of diplomatic rebuke
Often a step toward war.

6. Commander in Chief
President has final authority over and responsibility for all military matters
Often leaves much of the day to day operation up to subordinates, but doesn’t have to.
Undeclared Wars
Most U.S. Presidents have engaged U.S. troops in battle without declaration of war.
Barbary Wars (1801) – Libya (2012)
Congress has not declared war since WWII
War Powers Resolution (1973)