Assistant Professor of Government Barbara Elias sits down with Professor of Government Andrew Rudalevige to talk about about President Obama’s handling of the Syria crisis. Because Obama had neither international backing nor a direct case for protecting American interests through a military strike on Syria, Rudalevige says, the president had little choice but to eventually seek congressional approval. Rudalevige continues: “The next time something comes up, members of Congress – I hope – will be more aggressive in asserting their own constitutional duties, and saying ‘we need to be involved in this.'”

For more videos from Bowdoin College, visit visit Bowdoin Talks.