Part 7/9:
As part of the dialogue, the subject of international agreements and the treaty-making process within the U.S. government was broached. Lee underscored the constitutional framework that necessitates Senate ratification for treaties, emphasizing that such arrangements should not only reflect the interests of the current administration but should have broad bipartisan support to ensure longevity and adherence beyond changing political landscapes.
He argued that treaties invariably entail a degree of sovereignty surrender—an aspect that requires careful consideration and consensus. The debate around the JCPOA, or the Iran nuclear deal, served as a backdrop to his point that political agreements without Senate ratification can lead to unmanageable risks for U.S. foreign policy.