America Should Be Ready for Lame-Duck Chaos Abroad
With the clock ticking down on President Biden’s first term, the specter of “lame-duck chaos” looms over the country’s foreign policy agenda. As the president prepares to hand over power to a potentially hostile successor, his administration faces a shrinking window of opportunity to secure its priorities overseas.
The Perils of Presidential Transition in Foreign Policy
Maintaining stability and security is one of the most important challenges that the U.S. faces during a presidential transition. The transfer of power is often a time of heightened uncertainty and risk, both at home and abroad. In recent years, the U.S. has experienced a number of foreign policy challenges during presidential transitions. These challenges have included the withdrawal from Iraq in 2011, the Syrian civil war, and the rise of ISIS. In each of these cases, the U.S. has had to navigate a difficult political and diplomatic landscape, while also ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens and interests. The upcoming presidential transition is likely to present a similar set of challenges. The U.S. will need to work with its allies to maintain stability in the Middle East, while also addressing the challenges posed by China and Russia. The U.S. will also need to be prepared to respond to any unexpected events, such as a natural disaster or a terrorist attack.
Mitigating Lame-Duck Decisiveness and Immobility
To mitigate lame-duck decisiveness and immobility, several measures can be implemented: 1). Enhanced Planning: The outgoing administration should engage in comprehensive planning and preparation for the transition period both before and after the election to ensure a smooth handover and minimize disruption. 2). Constitutional Amendments: Consider revising constitutional provisions to shorten the lame-duck period or provide clear guidelines for the powers and responsibilities of lame-duck presidencies. 3). Legislative Oversight: Strengthen the role of Congress in providing oversight over lame-duck administrations to prevent reckless or harmful actions.
Strengthening Congressional Oversight and Executive Accountability
To prevent abuse of power, ongoing oversight is required. Congress, with its robust committee and subcommittee system, is tasked with holding the executive branch accountable and overseeing the implementation of law. This includes reviewing budgets and audits, holding hearings, conducting investigations, and issuing subpoenas. When necessary, Congress can enforce subpoenas through a subpoena enforcement order (SEO). An SEO is a court order that requires a witness to comply with a subpoena issued by Congress. In extraordinary circumstances, Congress may need to impeach the president or other executive branch officials for “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The impeachment process can be highly controversial and divisive.
Preparing for a Smooth and Effective Foreign Policy Handoff
Ensuring a seamless foreign policy transition requires strategic planning. This includes identifying potential areas of disruption, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, and establishing mechanisms for continuity and accountability. By conducting thorough assessments of ongoing diplomatic engagements, security arrangements, and economic partnerships, the outgoing administration can provide guidance and support to their successors in navigating potential challenges and ensuring a smooth geopolitical handoff. Establishing clear communication channels and protocols for information sharing between the outgoing and incoming teams is crucial to facilitate a comprehensive transfer of knowledge and to mitigate risks during the transition period.
The Way Forward
the potential for global chaos during the US lame-duck period necessitates preparedness by both the outgoing and incoming administrations. By engaging in strategic planning, coordinating with allies, and addressing potential flashpoints, the US can help mitigate risks and ensure a smooth transition Abroad. While uncertainties remain, proactive measures can enhance stability and protect US interests.