Peter Bergen : Obama focused part of this speech on the Authorization for the Use of Military Force that Congress passed days after 9/11 and that gave President George W. Bush the authority to go to war in Afghanistan . Obama 's hope had been to end wars in Middle East . By sending issue to Congress , Obama seeks to make war harder to launch , Bergen says . Bergen : Obama lacked international support and legal standing to invade Iraq . Obama 's move is a mistake , as was decision to launch Osama bin Ali raid , Bergen says .
Peter Bergen : Obama 's hope had been to end wars in Middle East . By sending issue to Congress , Obama seeks to make war harder to launch , Bergen says . Bergen : Obama lacked international support and legal standing to invade Iraq . Obama 's move is a mistake , as was decision to launch Osama bin Ali raid , Bergen says .