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This move raises questions about the extent of U.S. military engagement in the region, especially as the legal framework now appears to permit more aggressive actions. However, legal experts have voiced concerns, with some critic noting that the broad legal interpretation in the memo could potentially lead to overreach.
Congressional Response and Legal Scrutiny
While the White House asserts that its actions are within the law of armed conflict, experts warn that these claims stretch the boundaries of international law. Matthew Waxman, a former national security official, described the memo's legal rationale as "a very far stretch" and potentially dangerous, highlighting the risks of setting a precedent for extrajudicial killings and indefinite detention.