National Security

Revitalizing American Institutions

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Contributing Scholar: Russell Berman

Declare War. Make Peace.

For nearly a century, Congress has ceded its constitutional authority over war and peace, leaving America vulnerable to conflicts without clear beginnings or definitive ends. Restoring declarations of war and formal peace treaties is vital to preserving democratic accountability and global stability.

Declare War. Make Peace.

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Declare War. Make Peace.

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Published September 16, 2025

The US Constitution grants Congress, not the President, the power to declare war and ratify peace treaties. Yet for decades, these responsibilities have eroded, replaced by authorizations, armistices, and ceasefires. This shift distorts the separation of powers, reduces accountability, and undermines diplomacy. Reasserting congressional authority and restoring formal declarations and treaties can strengthen American democracy and secure lasting peace.

Check out more from Russell A. Berman:

Read "The Saudi Choice and Trump’s Realism" by Russell Berman here.
Read "The Information War Against Israel ‘Playbook’ Could Be Used Against America" by Russell Berman here.
Read "The Maritime Middle East and Challenges for American Strategy" by Russell Berman here.

Learn more about Russell A. Berman here.

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The opinions expressed in this video are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.