“. . . until they get punched in the mouth.” Thus spake the great Mike Tyson. And since von Moltke’s not available, maybe we should get Iron Mike up in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain from first-hand experience how long a plan survives contact with the enemy. We might be spared absurdities like this:
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reached an agreement late Tuesday on wording of a new resolution authorizing U.S. military force against the Syrian government.
The resolution would permit up to 90 days of military action against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, beginning with 60 days and the option of 30 more pending President Obama’s notification of Congress, according to a copy of the resolution provided by Senate aides.
The resolution also bars the deployment of U.S. combat troops into Syria, but would permit the deployment of a small rescue mission, in the event of an emergency, the aides said.
Obama also would be required within 30 days of enactment of the resolution to send Congress a plan for a diplomatic solution to end the violence in Syria, according to a senior Senate aide familiar with the agreement.
Yeah, a 90-day window for military operations, led by the antiwar Winter Soldier, with trusty Sergeant Hagel by his side. That ought to do it. What could possibly go wrong?
On the other hand, principled members of Congress could just say no. But that would mean some of them would actually have to have principles.