The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell S2 Ep148: Is This War Legal? (w/ Tess Bridgeman)
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Mar 7, 2026 Tess Bridgeman, national security law expert and former NSC legal advisor, unpacks legality of recent U.S. strikes. She breaks down when bombings become an international armed conflict. She explains constitutional war powers, the War Powers Resolution, and why Congress keeps failing to act. She reviews international law limits, self-defense claims, and who can constrain presidential use of force.
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UN Charter Limits Use Of Force
- Under international law (UN Charter Article 2.4) force is lawful only with Security Council authorization or legitimate self-defense.
- Bridgeman stresses self-defense requires an actual armed attack or imminent threat, not merely capability or hostile rhetoric.
Weapons Capability Is Not Imminent Threat
- Capability alone (e.g., missiles or nukes) does not equal imminence; there must be a real threat of attack.
- Bridgeman contrasts general weapons capacity with the legal requirement of an actual imminent armed attack.
Use War Powers To Force A Congressional Vote
- Congress wrote the War Powers Resolution to reclaim its Article I role and require presidential reporting within 48 hours.
- The law also triggers a 60-day clock to terminate hostilities unless Congress authorizes continuation.
