Question

Define and defend (in Constitutional AND practical terms) what role Congress should play in making decisions on the use of both covert and overt military force.

Answer 1

A covert operation is a military operation intended to conceal the identity of the sponsor and intended to create a political effect which can have implications in the military, intelligent or law enforcement areas affecting the internal and external population. They aim to secretly fulfil their mission objectives without anyone knowing about those who carried out the operation, sometimes even without revealing that the operation has been carried out. Under the US law, the CIA is the primary force that leads the covert operations, unless another agency has been identified by the president and informed to the congress to do so. The National security Act of 1947 gives the CIA the power to carry out the covert operations. The Executive order 12333 or the US Intelligence services act of 1984 was issued to implement the efforts. The Intelligence Authorisation act of 1991and the title 50 of US Code section 413-e also gives the power to the CIA to carry out the covert operations. Under the Hughes-Ryan assignment, the CIA must have the Presidential finding to impact the action, which are monitored by the US Senate and house of representatives. Thus it is clear that the Congress plays the most influential role in carrying out the covert operations. Thus the Congress is expected to analyse the circumstances, especially the impacts of the actions on the economy of the nation before giving affirmations to carryout the actions. The covert operations should be allowed at times when openly operating against a target would be disadvantageous. It also should consider major foreign policy decisions before prompt actions are initiated. The future impacts of these covert actions should also be considered.

                                    An overt operation refers to an operation which is conducted openly, without any concealment. As far the induction of overt actions are concerned, the President has more powers as he is considered to be the head of the military forces in the nation. Here, the congress is expected to follow the lines of the President to follow the actions as directed. While conducting overt actions, which is supposed to be more an open military action when compared to the covert action, the military can also expose themselves which gives a more visible warfront and a more tactical warfare.

                                    Thus on analysis, it can be understood that the Congress obviously plays a role in both covert and overt actions, but it plays a more handy role in covert actions. The Congress is expected to play a more secure and visionary role in taking both the actions so that the safety of the nation and the future economy of the nation will not get threatened and stranded as a result of the action.