... under Article II Section Two of the constitution, is the role of commander in chief of the nations navy and army forces, a characteristic that, in particular since 9/11, has come under much scrutiny. Previous to the World Trade Centre attacks, this privilege was largely perceived as a symbolic power, similar to that of a monarchical state where the president was 'ceremonially head of the armed forces...like the British monarchy'2. The deployment of American troops and navy was therefore controlled by Congress who had the power to prevent the president's decision of sending troops into combat, although once this has been passed through the legislature, it is the president who 'determines military strategy and tactics'3. This constitutional right of Congress has been transformed in the twenty first century through the Bush Doctrine, where power has shifted away from the house to the executive office, but firstly it is important to ...

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