The Half-War

The Half-War

From The Libertarian by The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin

April 11, 2026 · 21 min · Season 1 · Episode 19

About this episode

Richard Epstein discusses the U.S. confrontation with Iran, analyzing the implications of military strategy and constitutional authority.

Richard Epstein examines the unfolding U.S. confrontation with Iran through both a strategic and constitutional lens, arguing that President Trump’s approach reflects a deeper tension between military necessity and political constraint. Epstein contends that limited or “half-war” measures—such as reliance on air power or pursuit of partial ceasefires—invite instability, while effective strategy demands either decisive dominance or restraint from intervention altogether. The conversation then pivots to the constitutional stakes, with Epstein criticizing the War Powers Act as an impractical and possibly unconstitutional encroachment on executive authority, arguing that modern warfare requires speed, secrecy, and unified command that Congress is structurally ill-equipped to provide. The discussion highlights the enduring conflict between law and strategy, suggesting that America’s greatest vulnerability may lie not only in foreign adversaries, but in its own divided system of war-making power.

People in this episode

Guest: Richard Epstein

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin

Books & works: War Powers Act

Places: U.S., Iran

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