WarSclerotic

One of the hallmarks of U.S. foreign policy throughout history has been a carefully thought-out decision-making process. Unlike their Israeli counterparts, American policymakers prefer not to wing it. This reduces uncertainty.

As was the case in previous U.S.-led interventions, there are two main phases in U.S. strategic planning. The first involves an internal discourse among administration officials over what the preferred strategy should be and what alternative courses of actions could be pursued. Then, it is up to the president to make a decision.

Because the decision-making process in the U.S. puts an emphasis on continuity — administrations like to rely on precedents and on previous formal decisions that have a legal footing — the initial planning was rather simple this time around. The clear delineation of red lines by President Barack Obama a year ago, and their subsequent breach, meant that it was unnecessary to deliberate on the question of principle of whether a forceful response was required.

That is why the administration proceeded to issue an indictment against the regime, based on incriminating information gathered by the intelligence community. And that is why a military strike against the regime has won across-the-board support within the administration early on. This consensus, which included Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel — who is as dovish as they come — grew as the suspicions against Syrian President Bashar Assad mounted. Obama has indicated that he is party to this prevailing sentiment many times. But he has yet to answer the biggest question being asked in the Oval Office: What form of military action should be taken?

All eyes are on Obama as he deliberates. Meanwhile, his cabinet members and his senior advisers are pitching the military option to a skeptical and critical public. Even this would be carried out through meticulous planning and with a clear delegation of responsibilities, with each cabinet member allotted their share of airtime. And Obama, even as shoulders the responsibilities as the top decisionmaker, is busy marshaling international support for the emerging strike.

The mystery will be solved in coming days, once the missiles start flying and the artillery fires.