Dakota Rudesill: Who Decides War? Law, Power, and the Use of Force Against Iran

In this episode of NucleCast, Professor Dakota Rudesill, Esq. examines the legal boundaries that govern the use of military force, with a particular focus on the United States and Iran. Drawing on constitutional law, international law, and decades of historical precedent, Rudesill unpacks who truly holds the authority to take the nation to war—and under what conditions.

The conversation explores the President’s powers of self‑defense, Congress’s constitutional role in declaring war, and how the War Powers Resolution of 1973 has shaped (and complicated) modern U.S. military action. From “operations less than war” to undeclared conflicts and contested legal justifications, Rudesill explains how legal gray areas have expanded over time—and why the rule of law remains essential to maintaining democratic accountability and global stability. This episode offers a clear, rigorous look at how law, power, and nuclear‑era decision‑making intersect in moments of crisis.

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